Article 6 of the Saudi Anti-Begging Law
المادة 6 من نظام مكافحة التسول
The article provides for confiscating, by court judgment, money obtained from begging or intended for it, or a fine equal to its value if it cannot be seized.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تُصادر -بحكم قضائي- جميع الأموال النقدية والعينية التي حصل عليها المتسول من تسوله، أو التي من شأنها أن تستعمل فيه. فإن تعذر ضبط أي من تلك الأموال؛ حكمت المحكمة المختصة بغرامة تعادل قيمتها؛ وذلك مع مراعاة حقوق حسني النية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 6 explained in plain English
This article adds a financial sanction, confiscation, to the penalties in Article 5. Its provisions are as follows:
- What is confiscated: All cash and in-kind money the beggar obtained from begging, and also money that would be used in begging.
- How confiscation is carried out: By court judgment; confiscation takes place only by a judgment of the court.
- If the money cannot be seized: The competent court imposes a fine equal to the value of that money, so that the beggar does not benefit from hiding it or disposing of it.
- Protecting good-faith parties: The rights of good-faith parties are respected.
Note that the article uses the word "beggar" in the sense in Article 1, meaning someone who solicits to obtain the money of others by any means, including modern technology and communication means. The article does not elaborate on the meaning of "good faith" or how it is proven, and does not specify the means of seizure; that is for the competent court to assess. A good-faith person whose money is affected by a confiscation judgment would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A beggar was caught in Makkah with cash he had collected from passersby, and he was using a device and a loudspeaker to ask for money. The sums and tools are confiscated by court judgment, and if he had hidden part of the money before being caught, the court imposes a fine equal to its value.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 6 of the Saudi Anti-Begging Law
Is the money a beggar collects confiscated?
Yes. All cash and in-kind money the beggar obtained from begging, or that would be used in it, is confiscated by court judgment.
What if the begging money cannot be found?
If it cannot be seized, the competent court imposes a fine equal to its value.
Are the rights of others affected by confiscation?
The article provides that the rights of good-faith parties are respected when confiscating.
More articles on Penalty for Begging
- Article 5
The article sets penalties for professional begging and for inciting or helping it, increases them for organized groups, provides for deporting non-Saudis, and allows doubling for repeats.
1- يُعاقب كل من امتهن التسول أو حرض غيره أو اتفق معه أو ساعده -بأي صورة كانت-على امتهان التسول؛ بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ستة) أشهر، أو بغرامة لا تزيد على (خمسين)
- Article 7
The article provides that if begging in any form constitutes a crime under other laws, the more severe penalty is applied.
إذا شكل التسول -مهما كانت صوره وأشكاله- جريمة بموجب أنظمة أخرى؛ فتطبق العقوبة الأشد.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.