[meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
I got home from an Internet-free trip last night and just read Mike's story. Cripes - we live in Disneyland by comparison. Mike, Robert - I'm glad your back in one piece and I hope the nightmares aren't too bad. Paul Swartz __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Welcome back Mike and Robert. I was unaware of your ordeal until last week. I am glad that you two made it out unharmed. A little lighter perhaps but now safe and sound. I know it's not the most important thing but I have to ask. Did the authorities let you keep the meteorites you found or where they confiscated and not returned? -Walter Branch - Original Message - From: Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 11:36 PM Subject: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and other people in the others, we could hear them crying or screaming sometimes. I tried to speak to Robert a couple of times just to see if he was there, and he would yell he was, then the police would come and threaten me not to speak again, this went on for 25 days and nights, 24 hours a day in that room, cold, a small light on 24/7 you never knew the time of day except when food would come. It was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was close to losing it, never did, but my military training kicked in and helped with that. It was more than 48 hours since our arrest that I was interrogated, forced to sign a statement of guilt, then driven to a prosecutor's office at midnight on the 15th of Jan. No phone calls in that time, no chance to see lawyer or embassy despite endless pleas. I was charged with various crimes again with no chance to see lawyer beforehand. I begged the prosecutor for a call and he refused, then thankfully after he sent me out into a waiting room, another person handed me a cell phone quietly so I called my wife and in 20 seconds told her I was in jail in Muscat, and to call for help to the embassy,. It took a week for the embassy to find us. Oman violated many laws, they are required to provide lawyer before charges are filed, and contact embassy within 24 hours, neither done. After that, the endless days passed in hell, the toilet a hole in the ground and I will leave the rest to your imagination. We went to trial on 6 Feb, a 15 minute joke in Arabic with one question asked by the judge, who then sentenced us to 6 months in prison and a $250 fine for illegal mining operations. We were sent the next day to the Sumail central prison. Once we arrived at the prison, Robert and I were placed together in a room, for the first time we could talk at will, see the sky and see
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Michael, Robert, Wow! what a very important story you share with us all. Good to see there was a happy ending, for the most part. Thank you very much. Roman Jirasek -- From: Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 11:36 PM To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Subject: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and other people in the others, we could hear them crying or screaming sometimes. I tried to speak to Robert a couple of times just to see if he was there, and he would yell he was, then the police would come and threaten me not to speak again, this went on for 25 days and nights, 24 hours a day in that room, cold, a small light on 24/7 you never knew the time of day except when food would come. It was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was close to losing it, never did, but my military training kicked in and helped with that. It was more than 48 hours since our arrest that I was interrogated, forced to sign a statement of guilt, then driven to a prosecutor's office at midnight on the 15th of Jan. No phone calls in that time, no chance to see lawyer or embassy despite endless pleas. I was charged with various crimes again with no chance to see lawyer beforehand. I begged the prosecutor for a call and he refused, then thankfully after he sent me out into a waiting room, another person handed me a cell phone quietly so I called my wife and in 20 seconds told her I was in jail in Muscat, and to call for help to the embassy,. It took a week for the embassy to find us. Oman violated many laws, they are required to provide lawyer before charges are filed, and contact embassy within 24 hours, neither done. After that, the endless days passed in hell, the toilet a hole in the ground and I will leave the rest to your imagination. We went to trial on 6 Feb, a 15 minute joke in Arabic with one question asked by the judge, who then sentenced us to 6 months in prison and a $250 fine for illegal mining operations. We were sent the next day to the Sumail central prison. Once we arrived at the prison, Robert and I were placed together in a room, for the first time we could talk at will, see the sky and see other people. We were in a brand new American made ultra-max type prison. It was quite nice if you can call prison nice. Clean, new, but full. Usually around 200 people
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Walter, Ask them again in 3 months and 1 day. (wink,wink) Elton - Original Message From: Walter Branch waltbra...@bellsouth.net To: Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com; meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Mon, March 14, 2011 6:14:33 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga . important thing but I have to ask. Did the authorities let you keep the meteorites you found or where they confiscated and not returned? -Walter Branch __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Mike and Robert, Welcome back. I agree with Ruben in that nobody I spoke with about you guys wanted to see you imprisoned. In fact between you and the shootings of Gabby and company the mood at the Tucson Show was that of civility. for the past twenty years I have never missed the show but, this year was a special one. The sadness felt for you guys was evident every day of the show. People shared good stories about you two and everyone wished for your safe speedy return. I know I longed to hear what you had to say in your personal phone calls to Jim Strope. This gave us all hope. Hopefully the civility inspired by the two of you along with Gabby and the rest will last. I commented on this before that this years Tucson was the friendliest ever. Welcome back guys. I think we are all better people from your suffering. 40 pound weight loss. Man , you might be able to sell that diet plan? Ha ha Carl -- Carl or Debbie Esparza Meteoritemax Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com wrote: 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and other people in the others, we could hear them crying or screaming sometimes. I tried to speak to Robert a couple of times just to see if he was there, and he would yell he was, then the police would come and threaten me not to speak again, this went on for 25 days and nights, 24 hours a day in that room, cold, a small light on 24/7 you never knew the time of day except when food would come. It was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was close to losing it, never did, but my military training kicked in and helped with that. It was more than 48 hours since our arrest that I was interrogated, forced to sign a statement of guilt, then driven to a prosecutor's office at midnight on the 15th of Jan. No phone calls in that time, no chance to see lawyer or embassy despite endless pleas. I was charged with various crimes again with no chance to see lawyer beforehand. I begged the prosecutor for a call and he refused, then thankfully after he sent me out into a waiting room, another person handed me a cell phone quietly so I called my wife and in 20 seconds told her I was in jail in Muscat, and to call for help to the embassy,. It took a week for the embassy to find us. Oman violated many laws, they are required to provide lawyer before charges are filed, and contact embassy within 24 hours, neither
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Hi Mike, Robert and List, I concur with what some of the others said - I don't recall anyone being happy you guys were sitting in an Omani prison. Of course, when the news got around, people did talk about it, and it did result in the expected debates about hunting, legalities, and the like. Eventually, everyone just shut up about it in public because we didn't want to add to your problem. Now that both of you are back home and safe, everything can return to normal - or what passes for normal in the meteorite world. I don't think anyone would wish a foreign prison on their worst enemy, and if there are people out there who were happy to see you guys rot in a cell, then I would not want to have anything to do with such people. Now, get some rest, try to unwind, and get out there and find the first American lunar. :) Best regards and happy huntings, MikeG -- Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone Ironworks Meteorites Website - http://www.galactic-stone.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone News Feed - http://www.galactic-stone.com/rss/126516 Twitter - http://twitter.com/galacticstone EOM - http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/collection.aspx?id=1564 --- On 3/14/11, cdtuc...@cox.net cdtuc...@cox.net wrote: Mike and Robert, Welcome back. I agree with Ruben in that nobody I spoke with about you guys wanted to see you imprisoned. In fact between you and the shootings of Gabby and company the mood at the Tucson Show was that of civility. for the past twenty years I have never missed the show but, this year was a special one. The sadness felt for you guys was evident every day of the show. People shared good stories about you two and everyone wished for your safe speedy return. I know I longed to hear what you had to say in your personal phone calls to Jim Strope. This gave us all hope. Hopefully the civility inspired by the two of you along with Gabby and the rest will last. I commented on this before that this years Tucson was the friendliest ever. Welcome back guys. I think we are all better people from your suffering. 40 pound weight loss. Man , you might be able to sell that diet plan? Ha ha Carl -- Carl or Debbie Esparza Meteoritemax Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com wrote: 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Good afternoon Mike, Robert and Folks, MikeG echoes my sentiments exactly. Its great to have you guys back safe and sound. Welcome back. Best regards, Paul Martyn, Savannah GA In a message dated 3/14/2011 3:01:02 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, meteoritem...@gmail.com writes: Hi Mike, Robert and List, I concur with what some of the others said - I don't recall anyone being happy you guys were sitting in an Omani prison. Of course, when the news got around, people did talk about it, and it did result in the expected debates about hunting, legalities, and the like. Eventually, everyone just shut up about it in public because we didn't want to add to your problem. Now that both of you are back home and safe, everything can return to normal - or what passes for normal in the meteorite world. I don't think anyone would wish a foreign prison on their worst enemy, and if there are people out there who were happy to see you guys rot in a cell, then I would not want to have anything to do with such people. Now, get some rest, try to unwind, and get out there and find the first American lunar. :) Best regards and happy huntings, MikeG -- Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone Ironworks Meteorites Website - http://www.galactic-stone.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone News Feed - http://www.galactic-stone.com/rss/126516 Twitter - http://twitter.com/galacticstone EOM - http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/collection.aspx?id=1564 --- __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Yes it is good to have them home safe and sound. I would not wish a foreign prison on anybody!! (well maybe Osama or Gadahfi):-) Welcome Home!! Stuart McDaniel Galactic Stone and Ironworks meteoritem...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Mike, Robert and List, I concur with what some of the others said - I don't recall anyone being happy you guys were sitting in an Omani prison. Of course, when the news got around, people did talk about it, and it did result in the expected debates about hunting, legalities, and the like. Eventually, everyone just shut up about it in public because we didn't want to add to your problem. Now that both of you are back home and safe, everything can return to normal - or what passes for normal in the meteorite world. I don't think anyone would wish a foreign prison on their worst enemy, and if there are people out there who were happy to see you guys rot in a cell, then I would not want to have anything to do with such people. Now, get some rest, try to unwind, and get out there and find the first American lunar. :) Best regards and happy huntings, MikeG -- Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone Ironworks Meteorites Website - http://www.galactic-stone.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone News Feed - http://www.galactic-stone.com/rss/126516 Twitter - http://twitter.com/galacticstone EOM - http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/collection.aspx?id=1564 --- On 3/14/11, cdtuc...@cox.net cdtuc...@cox.net wrote: Mike and Robert, Welcome back. I agree with Ruben in that nobody I spoke with about you guys wanted to see you imprisoned. In fact between you and the shootings of Gabby and company the mood at the Tucson Show was that of civility. for the past twenty years I have never missed the show but, this year was a special one. The sadness felt for you guys was evident every day of the show. People shared good stories about you two and everyone wished for your safe speedy return. I know I longed to hear what you had to say in your personal phone calls to Jim Strope. This gave us all hope. Hopefully the civility inspired by the two of you along with Gabby and the rest will last. I commented on this before that this years Tucson was the friendliest ever. Welcome back guys. I think we are all better people from your suffering. 40 pound weight loss. Man , you might be able to sell that diet plan? Ha ha Carl -- Carl or Debbie Esparza Meteoritemax Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com wrote: 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Wow Michael - what an incredible story. I'm so glad both you and Robert are home safe and sound. Just makes you think how good we have it in here in American, and at times many take it for granted. I wish both of you many safe and successful hunting adventures in the future and look forward to be seeing you next year in Tucson. Greg S. Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 20:36:30 -0700 From: m...@meteoriteguy.com To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Subject: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and other people in the others, we could hear them crying or screaming sometimes. I tried to speak to Robert a couple of times just to see if he was there, and he would yell he was, then the police would come and threaten me not to speak again, this went on for 25 days and nights, 24 hours a day in that room, cold, a small light on 24/7 you never knew the time of day except when food would come. It was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was close to losing it, never did, but my military training kicked in and helped with that. It was more than 48 hours since our arrest that I was interrogated, forced to sign a statement of guilt, then driven to a prosecutor's office at midnight on the 15th of Jan. No phone calls in that time, no chance to see lawyer or embassy despite endless pleas. I was charged with various crimes again with no chance to see lawyer beforehand. I begged the prosecutor for a call and he refused, then thankfully after he sent me out into a waiting room, another person handed me a cell phone quietly so I called my wife and in 20 seconds told her I was in jail in Muscat, and to call for help to the embassy,. It took a week for the embassy to find us. Oman violated many laws, they are required to provide lawyer before charges are filed, and contact embassy within 24 hours, neither done. After that, the endless days passed in hell, the toilet a hole in the ground and I will leave the rest to your imagination. We went to trial on 6 Feb, a 15 minute joke in Arabic with one question asked by the judge, who then sentenced us to 6 months in prison and a $250 fine for illegal mining operations. We were sent the next day to the Sumail central prison. Once we arrived at the prison, Robert and I were placed together in a room, for the first time we could
[meteorite-list] Oman Prison Saga
Hi Mike Robert, Glad you are both home and safe and sound. What a story! Do you happen to know WHY you were targeted by the Omani cops? Best regards, Charley Butterfield Well, squids don't work. Hey! Let's try elephants ! Hannibal __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Hi Mike and Robert, Glad you guys are safely back and thank you for letting us know the story in Oman. Something is a bit puzzling. I had read another post not to long ago here that mentioned there was $250,000 to get you back into Oman(?). Not sure if that was a bounty or some kind of reward. The one who made that post did not accept that deal but that is a large sum and seemed with that kind of money for you, you were allowed to leave so relatively easily. I would think that once they got you, they would lock you up and throw away the key. Sorry if I don't have my facts straight or if it opens any wounds. I also thought that it was a stroke of genius of you to say the camera, Ipod, gps,..etc. was not for mining. I would have stammered and gave up hope.:) As much as those meteorites you lost were valuable, it's nothing compared to your health. I also found it strange if the Omani police thought those meteorites were such a national treasure they would just treat them like so much garbage. Carl2 __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and other people in the others, we could hear them crying or screaming sometimes. I tried to speak to Robert a couple of times just to see if he was there, and he would yell he was, then the police would come and threaten me not to speak again, this went on for 25 days and nights, 24 hours a day in that room, cold, a small light on 24/7 you never knew the time of day except when food would come. It was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was close to losing it, never did, but my military training kicked in and helped with that. It was more than 48 hours since our arrest that I was interrogated, forced to sign a statement of guilt, then driven to a prosecutor's office at midnight on the 15th of Jan. No phone calls in that time, no chance to see lawyer or embassy despite endless pleas. I was charged with various crimes again with no chance to see lawyer beforehand. I begged the prosecutor for a call and he refused, then thankfully after he sent me out into a waiting room, another person handed me a cell phone quietly so I called my wife and in 20 seconds told her I was in jail in Muscat, and to call for help to the embassy,. It took a week for the embassy to find us. Oman violated many laws, they are required to provide lawyer before charges are filed, and contact embassy within 24 hours, neither done. After that, the endless days passed in hell, the toilet a hole in the ground and I will leave the rest to your imagination. We went to trial on 6 Feb, a 15 minute joke in Arabic with one question asked by the judge, who then sentenced us to 6 months in prison and a $250 fine for illegal mining operations. We were sent the next day to the Sumail central prison. Once we arrived at the prison, Robert and I were placed together in a room, for the first time we could talk at will, see the sky and see other people. We were in a brand new American made ultra-max type prison. It was quite nice if you can call prison nice. Clean, new, but full. Usually around 200 people in our cell block. Taliban types, drug smugglers from Iran and Pakistan, drunks from India, car thieves from Oman etc. We were the only two westerners in a prison of thousands, so they worked hard to keep up safe, the other prisoners were told they would suffer greatly if they laid a finger on us. After two weeks there, the prison changed, when the political situation in
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
That is a great story! I'm really sorry you had to go through this, but glad you're home safe. And hopefully nobody has to go through this type of detention in the future, glad my trip to Oman didn't end this way. Your statement about being supported and knowing the blessing will be forwarded on is very true, I have my own stories of people that stood with me through tough times. Rob H -- From: Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 8:36 PM To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Subject: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and other people in the others, we could hear them crying or screaming sometimes. I tried to speak to Robert a couple of times just to see if he was there, and he would yell he was, then the police would come and threaten me not to speak again, this went on for 25 days and nights, 24 hours a day in that room, cold, a small light on 24/7 you never knew the time of day except when food would come. It was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was close to losing it, never did, but my military training kicked in and helped with that. It was more than 48 hours since our arrest that I was interrogated, forced to sign a statement of guilt, then driven to a prosecutor's office at midnight on the 15th of Jan. No phone calls in that time, no chance to see lawyer or embassy despite endless pleas. I was charged with various crimes again with no chance to see lawyer beforehand. I begged the prosecutor for a call and he refused, then thankfully after he sent me out into a waiting room, another person handed me a cell phone quietly so I called my wife and in 20 seconds told her I was in jail in Muscat, and to call for help to the embassy,. It took a week for the embassy to find us. Oman violated many laws, they are required to provide lawyer before charges are filed, and contact embassy within 24 hours, neither done. After that, the endless days passed in hell, the toilet a hole in the ground and I will leave the rest to your imagination. We went to trial on 6 Feb, a 15 minute joke in Arabic with one question asked by the judge, who then sentenced us to 6 months in prison and a $250 fine for illegal mining operations. We were sent the next day to the Sumail central prison. Once we arrived at the prison, Robert and I were placed together in a room, for the first
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Michael, First of all, welcome home. After reading your horror story, all that I can say is that it was a miracle for both of you to have survived this ordeal. Granted, you had military training to fall-back on, but still, you are most fortunate to have literally survived life in hell to relate your story. While I have never met either of you, I am personally relieved that you and Robert made it back home. Best Regards, and again, welcome home, Ed Deckert - Original Message - From: Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 11:36 PM Subject: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and other people in the others, we could hear them crying or screaming sometimes. I tried to speak to Robert a couple of times just to see if he was there, and he would yell he was, then the police would come and threaten me not to speak again, this went on for 25 days and nights, 24 hours a day in that room, cold, a small light on 24/7 you never knew the time of day except when food would come. It was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was close to losing it, never did, but my military training kicked in and helped with that. It was more than 48 hours since our arrest that I was interrogated, forced to sign a statement of guilt, then driven to a prosecutor's office at midnight on the 15th of Jan. No phone calls in that time, no chance to see lawyer or embassy despite endless pleas. I was charged with various crimes again with no chance to see lawyer beforehand. I begged the prosecutor for a call and he refused, then thankfully after he sent me out into a waiting room, another person handed me a cell phone quietly so I called my wife and in 20 seconds told her I was in jail in Muscat, and to call for help to the embassy,. It took a week for the embassy to find us. Oman violated many laws, they are required to provide lawyer before charges are filed, and contact embassy within 24 hours, neither done. After that, the endless days passed in hell, the toilet a hole in the ground and I will leave the rest to your imagination. We went to trial on 6 Feb, a 15 minute joke in Arabic with one question asked by the judge, who then sentenced us to 6 months in prison and a $250 fine for illegal mining operations. We were sent the next day to the Sumail central prison. Once we arrived at the prison
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Hi Mike and Robert, This is a very interesting story. I read it and at times felt sad and even scared for you two as well other souls still in that hell hole. I am sorry you guys went through that and wouldn't wish that on anyone. I don't think I would have handled it so well May the nightmarish memories quickly fade and let you two get back to business as usual soon. I do have to say though that I NEVER heard anyone say they were glad you were in jail. As far as I could tell the list was silent - so that no more damage would be caused here - in yours and Roberts honor. In Tucson you guys were missed and everyone seemed truly concerned that you two were in trouble. Believe it or not Michael Blood wouldn't even allow us to broadcast anything live that night if he thought it could even remotely hurt you. Yes, I know what he said recently, but he also seemed very concerned for you. Keep up the good work - it's good to have you guys safely home! -- Rock On! Ruben Garcia Website: http://www.mr-meteorite.net Articles: http://www.meteorite.com/blog/ Videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=meteorfright#p/u __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Same here. What a horrible story but thank God a happy ending. Mike, you probably don't remember me, but you sold me my first meteorite - a Gibeon. Glad everything turned out OK and that you're around to enjoy life and introduce other people to collecting meteorites. Mark Mark Grossman Meteorite Manuscripts - Original Message - From: Ed Deckert edeck...@triad.rr.com To: Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com; meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 12:16 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga Michael, First of all, welcome home. After reading your horror story, all that I can say is that it was a miracle for both of you to have survived this ordeal. Granted, you had military training to fall-back on, but still, you are most fortunate to have literally survived life in hell to relate your story. While I have never met either of you, I am personally relieved that you and Robert made it back home. Best Regards, and again, welcome home, Ed Deckert - Original Message - From: Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 11:36 PM Subject: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and other people in the others, we could hear them crying or screaming sometimes. I tried to speak to Robert a couple of times just to see if he was there, and he would yell he was, then the police would come and threaten me not to speak again, this went on for 25 days and nights, 24 hours a day in that room, cold, a small light on 24/7 you never knew the time of day except when food would come. It was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was close to losing it, never did, but my military training kicked in and helped with that. It was more than 48 hours since our arrest that I was interrogated, forced to sign a statement of guilt, then driven to a prosecutor's office at midnight on the 15th of Jan. No phone calls in that time, no chance to see lawyer or embassy despite endless pleas. I was charged with various crimes again with no chance to see lawyer beforehand. I begged the prosecutor for a call and he refused, then thankfully after he sent me out into a waiting room, another person handed me a cell phone quietly so I called my wife and in 20 seconds told her I was in jail in Muscat, and to call for help to the embassy,. It took a week
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Welcome home, Mike and Rob. I guess this means I'd better start saving my allowance up for more meteorite purchases Mike. You always have something I can't get along without and you have always been fair with me. Thanks for setting the record straight on Omani law. Regards, Count Deiro IMCA 3536 -Original Message- From: Michael Farmer m...@meteoriteguy.com Sent: Mar 13, 2011 8:36 PM To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Subject: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and other people in the others, we could hear them crying or screaming sometimes. I tried to speak to Robert a couple of times just to see if he was there, and he would yell he was, then the police would come and threaten me not to speak again, this went on for 25 days and nights, 24 hours a day in that room, cold, a small light on 24/7 you never knew the time of day except when food would come. It was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was close to losing it, never did, but my military training kicked in and helped with that. It was more than 48 hours since our arrest that I was interrogated, forced to sign a statement of guilt, then driven to a prosecutor's office at midnight on the 15th of Jan. No phone calls in that time, no chance to see lawyer or embassy despite endless pleas. I was charged with various crimes again with no chance to see lawyer beforehand. I begged the prosecutor for a call and he refused, then thankfully after he sent me out into a waiting room, another person handed me a cell phone quietly so I called my wife and in 20 seconds told her I was in jail in Muscat, and to call for help to the embassy,. It took a week for the embassy to find us. Oman violated many laws, they are required to provide lawyer before charges are filed, and contact embassy within 24 hours, neither done. After that, the endless days passed in hell, the toilet a hole in the ground and I will leave the rest to your imagination. We went to trial on 6 Feb, a 15 minute joke in Arabic with one question asked by the judge, who then sentenced us to 6 months in prison and a $250 fine for illegal mining operations. We were sent the next day to the Sumail central prison. Once we arrived at the prison, Robert and I were placed together in a room, for the first time we could talk at will, see the sky and see other people. We were in a brand new American made ultra-max
Re: [meteorite-list] Oman prison saga
Hi Mike, Glad to have you guys back here safe and sound. I'm sorry you and Robert endured such torment. Hopefully this event will set some kind of positive precedent for the international meteorite world. It takes people like you and Robert to make it known to all what goes on behind the scenes. Your stay in hell was terrible, and not to be wished on any human being. Hopefully this event will pay great positive dividends for meteorites worldwide. And, even more important, the human rights violations that have occurred and continue to occur are being brought to light. Perhaps for a good reason at the right time. Welcome home Mike and Robert! Regards, Eric On 3/13/2011 8:36 PM, Michael Farmer wrote: 90% of the meteorite list is interested in the Oman meteorite saga that Robert Ward and Michael Farmer went through from our arrest in early January until our release ordered on March 7th 2011. This is my story, Robert can tell his, as it is a little different as we were separated, interrogated, and housed apart for more than half of the event. On December 31st we headed for Oman, my 20th meteorite hunting expedition there. I have studied the law there since the arrest of the Russian and American hunters back in 2005. There is no law against meteorite hunting in Oman, those who asked why we keep doing it, that is why. It is legal. After months of meeting with lawyers, looking at Oman law, I think we know what we are talking about. We had a very successful trip, I found 35 meteorites, 3 pieces of the Dhofar 1180 Lunar, more than 100 grams, and some other nice things. On the last day we headed out of the desert and towards Dubai. At 1 PM on 13 January we arrived at a police roadblock in Adam, nothing out of the norm, until they rushed my car with M16's and they had heavy belt-fed guns on their trucks. They forced us out of our cars and ripped them apart of course, finding the meteorites immediately. We were taken to the Adam police station and interrogated for 10 hours. The Wali (governor) of the area arrived and was very upset at our confinement, he kept apologizing to us and saying he did not understand why we were being arrested and kept calling Muscat to try and get us released, he was angry at tourists being detained in his district. He then informed that orders from much higher in the government came in that we were to be taken to Muscat and it was out of his hands. The roadblock was for us, they had intel that we were coming. I have intel on who did it.. We were driven to Muscat in shackles, arriving at midnight, taken to an interrogation center in Qurum. Stripped, put into separate rooms, and never saw each other again for the next 25 days except when the embassy came, our lawyers came, or we were taken to the hospital a couple of times. Qurum Criminal Investigation Division is little more than a torture chamber, we heard many times people being beaten, and dragged around. I was interrogated in a conference room after more than 72 hours without sleep. We were kept in small rooms, 9 x 9 x 12 ft, with small pad on the floor and two blankets, horribly filthy, crawling with roaches, and things on the floors and walls which I decline to try to describe. There were 4 rooms, Robert and I in two, and other people in the others, we could hear them crying or screaming sometimes. I tried to speak to Robert a couple of times just to see if he was there, and he would yell he was, then the police would come and threaten me not to speak again, this went on for 25 days and nights, 24 hours a day in that room, cold, a small light on 24/7 you never knew the time of day except when food would come. It was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was close to losing it, never did, but my military training kicked in and helped with that. It was more than 48 hours since our arrest that I was interrogated, forced to sign a statement of guilt, then driven to a prosecutor's office at midnight on the 15th of Jan. No phone calls in that time, no chance to see lawyer or embassy despite endless pleas. I was charged with various crimes again with no chance to see lawyer beforehand. I begged the prosecutor for a call and he refused, then thankfully after he sent me out into a waiting room, another person handed me a cell phone quietly so I called my wife and in 20 seconds told her I was in jail in Muscat, and to call for help to the embassy,. It took a week for the embassy to find us. Oman violated many laws, they are required to provide lawyer before charges are filed, and contact embassy within 24 hours, neither done. After that, the endless days passed in hell, the toilet a hole in the ground and I will leave the rest to your imagination. We went to trial on 6 Feb, a 15 minute joke in Arabic with one question asked by the judge, who then sentenced us to 6 months in prison and a $250 fine for illegal mining operations. We were sent the next day to the Sumail
