Article 45 of the Saudi Anti-Money Laundering Law
المادة 45 من نظام مكافحة غسل الأموال · الفصل العاشر: أحكام عامة
The article allows the Public Prosecution to issue a warrant permitting entry into and search of homes, offices and the reporting entity's premises in money laundering and predicate offenses, and permits it without a warrant in necessity.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع عدم الإخلال بما يتضمنه نظام الإجراءات الجزائية، للنيابة العامة -بمبادرة منها أو بناء على طلب رجل ضبط جنائي- إصدار مذكّرة تسمح لرجل الضبط الجنائي أو المحقق بدخول المساكن أو المكاتب أو مقر الجهة المبلغة؛ لتفتيشها والبحث والقبض على الأشخاص أو للبحث عن الأموال أو حجزها أو الممتلكات أو الوثائق أو الأدلة أو المعلومات المرتبطة بجريمة أصلية أو جريمة غسل أموال في أي وقت خلال المدة المحددة في إذن التفتيش. وفي حالة الضرورة لا يلزم الحصول على إذن للقيام بذلك، على أن يدوَّن محضر توضح فيه الأسباب ودواعي الاستعجال، على أن يتم إصدار الأمر بموجب هذه المادة من طرف واحد ودون سابق إنذار للطرف المعني. وتبلغ النيابة العامة الجهة المشرفة على الجهات المبلغة بالإجراءات المتخذة بناءً على هذه المادة.
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 45 explained in plain English
This article regulates searches in money laundering and predicate offense cases, and opens with the phrase "without prejudice to what the Law of Criminal Procedure provides", meaning that law's provisions remain in force alongside it.
Who issues the warrant? The Public Prosecution, on its own initiative or at the request of a criminal investigation officer, and the warrant permits the criminal investigation officer or investigator to enter homes, offices or the reporting entity's premises.
Purposes of entry:
- Searching and inspection.
- Arresting persons.
- Searching for or seizing funds, or property, documents, evidence or information connected to a predicate offense or a money laundering offense.
Entry may take place at any time within the period specified in the search permit.
The case of necessity: A permit need not be obtained, provided a record is made setting out the reasons and the grounds for urgency.
Other provisions:
- The order is issued ex parte and without prior warning to the party concerned.
- The Public Prosecution notifies the authority supervising the reporting entities of the measures taken under this article.
This article is connected to Article 44 on freezing funds, and to Article 46, which allows ordering the monitoring and interception of communications. Anyone who has been subjected to a search in this context needs to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A criminal investigation officer suspected that a commercial office in Jeddah holds documents relating to money laundering operations, and asked the Public Prosecution for a search warrant. The Public Prosecution issues the warrant without prior warning to the office owner, and entry may take place at any time within the period specified in the permit.
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 45 of the Saudi Anti-Money Laundering Law
Can a home be searched in money laundering cases?
Yes. The Public Prosecution may issue a warrant permitting the criminal investigation officer or investigator to enter and search homes, offices and the reporting entity's premises.
Can a search take place without a permit?
In a case of necessity a permit need not be obtained, provided a record is made setting out the reasons and the grounds for urgency.
Is the owner of the place warned before the search?
No. The order is issued ex parte and without prior warning to the party concerned.
More articles on Precautionary Seizure and Investigation
- Article 43
The article allows the Public Prosecution to request records, documents and information from any person or body, requiring the recipient to comply accurately without delay and not to disclose the request except in specified cases.
1- للنيابة العامة -بمبادرةٍ منها أو بناءً على طلب رجل الضبط الـجنائي- أن تطلب من أي شخص أو من المؤسسات المالية -عبر الجهات الرقابية- أو الأعمال والمهن غير المال
- Article 44
The article allows the Public Prosecution to order the freezing of funds subject to possible confiscation for a period not exceeding 60 days without prior notice, extendable by court order.
1- للنيابة العامة -بمبادرة منها أو بطلب من الإدارة العامة للتحريات المالية أو رجل ضبط جنائي بناءً على الاشتباه في جريمة غسل أموال أو جريمة أصلية- أن تأمر بالحجـ
- Article 46
The article allows the Public Prosecution to issue a reasoned order to monitor, record and intercept communications, messages and computer data in money laundering and predicate offenses, without prior warning.
مع عدم الإخلال بما يتضمنه نظام الإجراءات الجزائية، للنيابة العامة بمبادرة منها أو بطلب من رجل الضبط الجنائي، أن تصدر أمراً مسبباً يسمح لرجل الضبط الجنائي أو الم
- Article 47
The article provides that the competent court decides all the offenses set out in the Anti-Money Laundering Law.
تتولى المحكمة المختصة الفصل في جميع الجرائم الواردة في النظام.
- Article 48
The article makes investigation and prosecution before the competent court in the law's offenses the responsibility of the Public Prosecution, and allows it to issue rules and guidance for the bodies under its supervision.
تتولى النيابة العامة التحقيق والادعاء أمام المحكمة المختصة في الجرائم الواردة في النظام. ولها إصدار قواعد وإرشادات للجهات الخاضعة لإشرافها وفقاً لنظام الإجراءات
- Article 49
The article assigns to criminal investigation officers, each within their jurisdiction, searching, inquiry and collecting evidence in the law's offenses, and criminal and administrative pursuit to identify, trace and freeze proceeds and instrumentalities.
يتولى رجال الضبط الجنائي -كلٌّ وفق اختصاصه- القيام بالبحث والتحري وجمع الأدلة في الجرائم الواردة في النظام بالإضافة إلى الملاحقة الجنائية والإدارية من أجل تحديد
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.