Article 7 of the Saudi Anti-Begging Law
المادة 7 من نظام مكافحة التسول
The article provides that if begging in any form constitutes a crime under other laws, the more severe penalty is applied.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا شكل التسول -مهما كانت صوره وأشكاله- جريمة بموجب أنظمة أخرى؛ فتطبق العقوبة الأشد.
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 7 explained in plain English
This article deals with overlap between laws. An act of begging may in itself violate the Anti-Begging Law and at the same time constitute a crime punished by another law. In that case the authorities do not settle for the Anti-Begging Law's penalty if the other law's penalty is more severe; instead the more severe penalty is applied.
In practice this means:
- The Anti-Begging Law's penalties are not a final ceiling for all cases of begging.
- If the other law's penalty is more severe, that is the one applied.
- The phrase "in any form" confirms that the rule covers all forms of begging, including begging through modern technology and communication means, as understood from the definition of a beggar in Article 1.
The article does not name the other laws intended or specify the crimes under which begging may fall; that depends on the facts of each case and on the texts of those laws themselves. It is therefore not possible, from this article alone, to say that a particular act is subject to another law. Anyone facing a charge in which begging overlaps with another crime should consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases to assess which law applies.
Practical example
A person in Riyadh posts online videos asking for money, and it turns out that his act constitutes a crime punished by another law with a penalty more severe than that of the Anti-Begging Law. The more severe penalty is applied under this article.
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 7 of the Saudi Anti-Begging Law
If begging is a crime under another law, which penalty applies?
The more severe penalty is applied under this article.
Does the article specify the other laws intended?
No. It does not name particular laws; it only provides that the more severe penalty applies if begging constitutes a crime under other laws.
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 6
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.
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
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.