Article 9 of the Saudi Anti-Fraud Law

This article protects the work of the judicial police officers in applying the Law, and at the same time protects the merchant from people impersonating them. It contains three provisions:

1. A prohibition on obstruction: they may not be prevented from carrying out their inspection and seizure work, from entering factories, warehouses, shops or other premises, or from obtaining samples of the suspected products.
2. A duty to prove status: the officers must present proof that they are judicial police officers, and the merchant has the right to ask for this.
3. A power to close: they may close the shop until the merchant who owns it contacts them and lets them enter; the closure here is temporary and tied to the purpose of enabling entry.

This article is linked to Article 8 before it, and to Article 10, which provides for rules on financial rewards for the enforcement employees. Note that the duty to prove status comes before the demand to be let in, and that the closure is not a penalty but a means of ensuring their entry, and ends when the shop owner contacts them and lets them enter.

The safest course for a merchant when inspectors arrive is therefore to verify their identity and then let them carry out their work. Anyone with an objection to the procedures can consult a lawyer specialized in criminal or commercial cases.