Article 9 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law
المادة 9 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الاتجار بالأشخاص
The article punishes with imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to SAR 200,000, or both, anyone who possesses, conceals or disposes of proceeds of the Law's crimes, conceals an accomplice, or helps conceal the crime's traces.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس) سنوات، أو بغرامة لا تزيد على (مائتي ألف) ريال، أو بهما معا ؛ كل من حاز أشياء متحصلة من إحدى الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، أو أخفاها، أو صرفها، أو أخفى شخصا (أو أكثر) من الذين اشتركوا فيها، بقصد معاونته على الفرار من العدالة مع علمه بذلك، أو أسهم في إخفاء معالم الجريمة .
ويجوز للمحكمة المختصة إعفاء المتهم من العقوبة المتعلقة بإخفاء الأشخاص إذا كان المخفي زوجا للمخفى أو أحد أصوله أو فروعه.
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 9 explained in plain English
This article punishes acts that come after the crime and help its perpetrators escape or benefit from it, with imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years, or a fine not exceeding SAR 200,000, or both. The acts punished are:
- Possessing things obtained from one of the crimes provided for in the Law, concealing them, or disposing of them.
- Concealing one or more of the persons who took part in the crime, with the intention of helping them escape from justice, knowing that this is so.
- Contributing to concealing the traces of the crime.
The possible exemption for relatives: the competent court may exempt the accused from the penalty relating to concealing persons only, if the person concealed is the accused's spouse or one of their ascendants or descendants. Note that this exemption is permissive and left to the court's discretion, and that the text limits it to concealing persons; it does not mention it for possessing, concealing or disposing of proceeds or for concealing the traces of the crime.
These are independent crimes with their own penalty, and they differ from contributing to the crime of trafficking itself, for which Article 8 sets the perpetrator's penalty. Anyone facing an accusation of this kind would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A woman learned that her son is wanted in a human trafficking case, so she hid him in her home so that he could escape from justice. The court may exempt her from the penalty for concealing persons because she is one of his ascendants. But if his friend had hidden money obtained from the crime, this exemption would not cover him.
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 9 of the Saudi Anti-Human Trafficking Law
What is the penalty for hiding an accused person in a human trafficking case?
Imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years, a fine not exceeding SAR 200,000, or both, if the concealment is intended to help them escape from justice, knowing that this is so.
Is a father or spouse exempted if they hide their accused relative?
The court may exempt from the penalty for concealing persons if the person concealed is the accused's spouse or one of their ascendants or descendants, and the matter is left to its discretion.
Is possessing money obtained from human trafficking a crime?
Yes. The article punishes anyone who possesses things obtained from the crimes of the Law, conceals them or disposes of them.
More articles on Failure to Report and Obstructing Justice
- Article 6
The article punishes with imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to SAR 200,000, or both, anyone who incites false testimony or false evidence, or uses force to interfere with the work of officials enforcing the Law.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس) سنوات، أو بغرامة لا تزيد على (مائتي ألف) ريال، أو بهما معا؛ كل ممن يأتي: 1 ـ من استخدم القوة البدنية أو التهديد أو الترهيب أو
- Article 7
The article punishes with imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or both, anyone who knows of a trafficking crime or an attempt and does not report it at once, even if bound by professional secrecy.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (سنتين) أو بغرامة لا تزيد على (مائة ألف) ريال، أو بهما معا؛ كل من علم بارتكاب جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، أو علم
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.