Imprisonment for a period of one year and /or a fine up to OMR 1,000 will be the punishment for anyone who produces, displays, spreads, publishes, purchases, sells or imports pornography using the internet or any other means of information technology.

A statement issued online by Public Prosecution said: "Producing, showing, spreading, publishing, purchasing, selling or importing pornographic materials using the internet or means of information technology, unless for authorised scientific or artistic purposes, is an offense punishable by imprisonment for a period that extends to one year and a fine up to OMR 1,000 or either one of the two sentences. The sentence shall be aggravated to imprisonment for a period up to 3 years and a fine up to OMR 5,000 or either one of the two sentences if the content involves child pornography. The sentence includes those who use the internet or means of information technology to obtain juvenile pornographic materials."

SOURCE: TIMESOFOMAN