Omani blogger faces trial in the Emirates

An Omani blogger on trial for defaming the United Arab Emirates (UAE), its rulers and people on social media is due back in court on 5 October.

The charge is believed to relate to criticism allegedly directed by Muawiya al-Rawahi against Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed on Twitter in 2013, the Omani news site al-Balad reported.

Rawahi's arrest has drawn international attention and his case has been highlighted by several international organisations, including Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists and IFEX, which have called for his release.

He was detained at the UAE border on 24 February 2015 and charged with defaming the symbols of the state and spreading false rumours, and has been held in detention ever since.

His first appearance in court was on 14 September, nearly seven months after his arrest.

The Omani embassy in the UAE has arranged for a lawyer to represent Rawahi, al-Balad reported.

He has previously been arrested several times in Oman, first in 2012 and later after writing a blog post titled "I'm finally free," IFEX reported.

He was detained in a psychiatric hospital in 2014 after blogging about his support for teachers on strike, and again for a week immediately before he was arrested by the UAE.

In November 2014, Rawahi announced on Facebook that he was giving up blogging, reportedly telling a colleague that he did not believe blogging could make a difference, IFEX said.