Article 81 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 81 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
Without prejudice to penalties, where survey, excavation, export, trading or museum licenses are violated, the committee provided for in Article 90 may stop the activity, or suspend or permanently cancel the license.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع عدم الإخلال بالعقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، في حالة مخالفة الأحكام والشروط المتعلقة بتراخيص المسح، أو التنقيب، أو التصدير، أو الاتجار، أو المتاحف؛ فللجنة المنصوص عليها في المادة (التسعين) من هذا النظام إصدار قرار يتضمن إيقاف النشاط، أو تعليق الترخيص، أو إلغاءه بصورة نهائية، وذلك وفقاً لما تبينه اللوائح.
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 81 explained in plain English
This article adds license-related sanctions alongside the penalties.
When they apply: when the provisions and conditions of licenses for the following are violated:
- Survey.
- Excavation.
- Export.
- Trading.
- Museums.
Who issues the decision: the committee provided for in Article 90, which according to that article is a committee of three members formed by decision of the Minister, at least one of whom is a Sharia or legal adviser; its decisions are approved by the President, and anyone against whom a decision is issued may appeal it to the Board of Grievances in accordance with its law.
The possible sanctions:
- Stopping the activity.
- Suspending the license.
- Permanently cancelling the license.
All of this is as set out in the regulations.
The phrase "without prejudice to the penalties set out in this Law" means these sanctions do not replace the penalties but may be combined with them. A licensed dealer who violates the conditions of his license may thus be exposed to the prescribed penalty in addition to having his activity stopped or his license suspended or cancelled.
The article does not state when each sanction is chosen, but leaves that to the regulations. Anyone against whom a decision stopping his activity or cancelling his license is issued would be wise to consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative 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 81 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Can an antiquities dealer's license be cancelled?
Yes. Where the provisions and conditions of a trading license are violated, the committee provided for in Article 90 may issue a decision stopping the activity or suspending or permanently cancelling the license, under the regulations.
Does cancelling the license replace the penalty?
No. These sanctions apply without prejudice to the penalties set out in the Law.
Can the committee's decision be challenged?
Article 90 provides that anyone against whom the decision is issued may appeal it to the Board of Grievances in accordance with its law.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Recording Antiquities Violations and Confiscation
- Article 78
The smuggling provisions of the Unified Customs Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council states apply to smuggling antiquities, and the Customs Authority hands seized antiquities over to the Authority.
تطبق على تهريب الآثار الأحكام الخاصة بالتهريب، المنصوص عليها في نظام (قانون) الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية، على أن تقوم مصلحة الجمارك بتس
- Article 79
Without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties, movable antiquities involved in violations and the funds derived from them, and the tools, machines and means of transport used in specified violations, are confiscated by court judgment.
مع عدم الإخلال بحقوق الغير (حسن النية)؛ تصادر بحكم قضائي الآثار المنقولة التي خالف حائزها أحكام المواد (الثانية، والسادسة والثلاثين، والأربعين) من هذا النظام، و
- Article 80
Without prejudice to penalties, anyone who found antiquities or obtained them in violation must hand them over, anyone who damaged registered sites must pay compensation, and anyone who demolished or built without approval must remove it and restore the site at his expense.
مع عدم الإخلال بالعقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام: 1 - يُلزم كل من عثر على آثار، أو استولى على آثار مملوكة للدولة بصورة غير مشروعة، أو حصل على آثار بطريقة مخ
- Article 82
Anyone who takes part, by agreement, incitement or assistance, in committing any violation under the Law is punished with the same penalty set for it.
يعاقب كل من اشترك بطريق الاتفاق، أو التحريض، أو المساعدة في ارتكاب أي من المخالفات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام بالعقوبة نفسها المقررة لها.
- Article 83
Attempting any violation of the Law is punished by no more than half of the maximum penalty prescribed for it.
يعاقب على الشروع في أي من المخالفات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام بما لا يتجاوز نصف الحد الأعلى للعقوبة المقررة لها.
- Article 84
If a violation is punishable under the Law of Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage and under another law, the more severe penalty is applied.
إذا كانت المخالفة معاقباً عليها بموجب هذا النظام ونظام آخر؛ فتطبق العقوبة الأشد.
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.