Article 48 of the Saudi Anti-Money Laundering Law
المادة 48 من نظام مكافحة غسل الأموال · الفصل العاشر: أحكام عامة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تتولى النيابة العامة التحقيق والادعاء أمام المحكمة المختصة في الجرائم الواردة في النظام. ولها إصدار قواعد وإرشادات للجهات الخاضعة لإشرافها وفقاً لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية.
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 48 explained in plain English
This article defines the role of the Public Prosecution in the offenses set out in the Anti-Money Laundering Law, and contains two provisions:
First: investigation and prosecution
- The Public Prosecution is responsible for investigating the offenses set out in the law.
- And it is responsible for prosecuting them before the competent court, meaning bringing the criminal case and following it through.
Second: issuing rules and guidance
The Public Prosecution may issue rules and guidance for the bodies under its supervision, in accordance with the Law of Criminal Procedure. The article does not state the content of these rules or specify which bodies are meant.
Its relationship to the surrounding articles:
- Article 47: The competent court decides all the law's offenses.
- Article 49: Criminal investigation officers, each within their jurisdiction, carry out searching and inquiry and collecting evidence, in addition to criminal and administrative pursuit to identify, trace or freeze the proceeds or instrumentalities of the crime.
So the roles are divided: criminal investigation officers inquire and collect evidence, the Public Prosecution investigates and prosecutes, and the competent court decides. Anyone summoned for investigation by the Public Prosecution in a case relating to this law needs to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
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 48 of the Saudi Anti-Money Laundering Law
Who investigates money laundering offenses?
The Public Prosecution is responsible for investigation and for prosecution before the competent court in the offenses set out in the law.
Does the Public Prosecution issue instructions to other bodies?
It may issue rules and guidance for the bodies under its supervision in accordance with the Law of Criminal Procedure.
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 45
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.
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 بد
- 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 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.