Article 17 of the Saudi Anti-Bribery Law
المادة 17 من نظام مكافحة الرشوة
The article grants a reward of not less than SAR 5,000 and not more than half the confiscated money to whoever points to a bribery offense proven by his information, if he is not a briber, participant or intermediary.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
كل من أرشد إلى جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام وأدت معلوماته إلى ثبوت الجريمة ولم يكن راشيا أو شريكا أو وسيطا يمنح مكافأة لا تقل عن خمسة آلاف ريال ولا تزيد عن نصف قيمة المال المصادر، وتقدر المكافأة الجهة التي تحكم في الجريمة، ويجوز لرئاسة أمن الدولة صرف مكافأة أعلى من المبلغ الذي يحدد بمقتضى هذه المادة، وذلك بعد موافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء عليها.
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 17 explained in plain English
This article encourages reporting bribery offenses by providing a financial reward for whoever points to them, on conditions:
- He points to an offense provided in the Law.
- His information leads to the offense being established; a mere report that proves nothing is not enough under the text.
- The informant is not a briber, participant or intermediary in the offense.
The amount of the reward: not less than SAR 5,000 and not more than half the value of the confiscated money. The reward is estimated by the body that adjudicates the offense.
A higher reward: the Presidency of State Security may pay a reward higher than the amount determined under this article, after the Prime Minister approves it.
A briber or intermediary does not benefit from this reward, but Article 16 exempts him from the principal and subsidiary penalties if he informs the authorities of the offense before it is discovered.
The article was amended by Royal Decree No. M/127 dated 7/11/1440 AH, which replaced the phrase "the Ministry of Interior" with "the Presidency of State Security." Anyone who needs to assess his position is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal matters.
Practical example
An employee at a company in Riyadh learned that a government official had asked a visitor for a sum to complete his transaction, and reported it with information that led to the offense being established. Because he is not a briber, participant or intermediary, he is entitled to a reward estimated by the body that ruled on the offense, not less than SAR 5,000 and not more than half the value of the confiscated money.
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 17 of the Saudi Anti-Bribery Law
How much is the reward for reporting bribery in Saudi Arabia?
Not less than SAR 5,000 and not more than half the value of the confiscated money, and the Presidency of State Security may pay a higher reward with the approval of the Prime Minister.
Who determines the amount of the informant's reward?
The body that adjudicates the offense estimates it.
Does the briber get a reward if he reports?
No. The reward is for someone who is not a briber, participant or intermediary; as for the briber or intermediary, Article 16 exempts him from punishment if he informs the authorities before the offense is discovered.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/127 — 7/11/1440 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- إحلال عبارة "لرئاسة أمن الدولة" محل عبارة "لوزارة الداخلية" الواردة في المادة (السابعة عشرة) من هذا النظام وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/127) وتاريخ 1440/11/7هـ.
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
كل من أرشد إلى جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام وأدت معلوماته إلى ثبوت الجريمة ولم يكن راشيا أو شريكا أو وسيطا يمنح مكافأة لا تقل عن خمسة آلاف ريال ولا تزيد عن نصف قيمة المال المصادر، وتقدر المكافأة الجهة التي تحكم في الجريمة، ويجوز لوزارة الداخلية صرف مكافأة أعلى من المبلغ الذي يحدد بمقتضى هذه المادة، وذلك بعد موافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء عليها.
More articles on Exemption and Reward for Reporting Bribery
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.