Article 71 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 71 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
Anyone who unlawfully takes possession of an antiquity belonging to State property is punished by imprisonment from 6 months to 7 years and a fine of SAR 50,000 to SAR 500,000, or either penalty.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يعاقب بالسجن لمدة لا تقل عن (ستة) أشهر ولا تزيد على (سبع) سنوات، وبغرامة لا تقل عن (خمسين ألف) ريال ولا تزيد على (خمسمائة ألف)، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من استولى بصورة غير مشروعة على أثر من ممتلكات الدولة
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 71 explained in plain English
This article punishes the offense of unlawfully taking possession of State antiquities. It was amended by Royal Decree No. (M/67) dated 12/8/1442 AH, and the explanation here is of the text in force after the amendment.
The punishable act: a person unlawfully takes possession of an antiquity belonging to State property.
The penalty:
- Imprisonment: not less than 6 months and not more than 7 years.
- Fine: not less than SAR 50,000 and not more than SAR 500,000.
- The court may impose both penalties or either of them.
The penalty here has a minimum and a maximum: if imprisonment is imposed it must be at least 6 months, and if a fine is imposed it must be at least SAR 50,000, and the judge sets the penalty between the two limits according to the circumstances of each case.
Under Article 1, an antiquity includes immovable, movable, buried and submerged objects that have acquired archaeological characteristics and are at least 100 years old, and the Authority may treat more recent objects as antiquities. The text requires that the antiquity be State property and that the taking be unlawful.
It is followed by Article 72, which punishes with lighter penalties interference with antiquities and surveying and excavation without a license. Anyone facing an accusation under this article should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases without delay.
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 71 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
What is the penalty for stealing antiquities owned by the State in Saudi Arabia?
Imprisonment from 6 months to 7 years and a fine of SAR 50,000 to SAR 500,000, or either penalty, for anyone who unlawfully takes possession of an antiquity belonging to State property.
Can only a fine be imposed?
Yes. The article provides for both penalties or either of them.
Has this article been amended?
Yes. It was amended by Royal Decree No. (M/67) dated 12/8/1442 AH.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/67 — 12/8/1442 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/67) وتاريخ 1442/8/12هـ، لتصبح بالنص الآتي: "يعاقب بالسجن لمدة لا تقل عن (ستة) أشهر ولا تزيد على (سبع) سنوات، وبغرامة لا تقل عن (خمسين ألف) ريال ولا تزيد على (خمسمائة ألف)، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من استولى بصورة غير مشروعة على أثر من ممتلكات الدولة".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يعاقب بالسجن لمدة لا تقل عن (ثلاثة) أشهر ولا تزيد على (سنتين)، وبغرامة لا تقل عن (خمسة وعشرين ألف) ريـال ولا تزيد على (مائتي ألف) ريـال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين؛ كل من استولى بصورة غير مشروعة على أثر من ممتلكات الدولة.
More articles on Antiquities Offenses and Penalties
- Article 6
The article prohibits encroaching on, altering, damaging or defacing archaeological and urban heritage sites in any way, and bars placing signs and advertising on them without the Commission's approval.
1- يحظر التعدي على مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني، أو تحويرها، أو إزالتها، أو إلحاق الضرر بها، أو تشويهها بالكتابة، أو الطلاء، أو النقش، أو إلصاق الإعلانات عليها
- Article 72Amended by M/67
Imprisonment from 3 months to 3 years and a fine of SAR 20,000 to SAR 300,000, or either penalty, for anyone who interferes with an antiquity or heritage site or excavates without a license.
يعاقب بالسجن لمدة لا تقل عن (ثلاثة) أشهر ولا تزيد على (ثلاث) سنوات، وبغرامة لا تقل عن (عشرين ألف) ريال ولا تزيد على (ثلاثمائة ألف) ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتي
- Article 73Amended by M/67
Imprisonment of up to 2 years and a fine of up to SAR 200,000, or either, for forging antiquities, demolishing or building at their sites without approval, violating the easement, and deliberately salvaging submerged antiquities.
يعاقب بالسجن لمدة لا تزيد على (سنتين) وبغرامة لا تزيد على (مائتي ألف) ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من: 1- قلد أثراً أو زيفه مدعياً أثريته. 2- قام بأي من أ
- Article 74Amended by M/67
Imprisonment of up to 1 year and a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or either, for altering heritage buildings without approval, removing rubble, dumping waste, and defacing antiquities.
يعاقب بالسجن لمدة لا تزيد على (سنة) وبغرامة لا تزيد على (مائة ألف) ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من: 1- غيّر مبنى أو موقع تراث عمراني، أو أجرى في البيئة ال
- Article 75Amended by M/67
Anyone who violates the conditions and provisions relating to antiquities and urban heritage in a license he has been granted for restoring archaeological and heritage buildings is punished by a fine not exceeding SAR 70,000.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تزيد على (سبعين ألف) ريال كل من خالف الشروط المتعلقة بالآثار والتراث العمراني في الرخصة الممنوحة له الخاصة بترميم المباني الأثرية والتراثية وأحك
- Article 76Amended by M/67
A fine of up to SAR 60,000 for commercial copying of antiquities without a license, concealing discovered antiquities, selling or exporting an antiquity in violation of the Law, and placing signs without approval.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تزيد على (ستين ألف) ريال كل من: 1- حاز أو صنع نماذجاً أو نسخاً للآثار لأغراض تجارية دون ترخيص من الوزارة. 2- أخفى الآثار التي اكتشفها أو عثر علي
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.