Article 88 of the Saudi Antiquities Law

المادة 88 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني

Every antiquity seized under the provisions of the Law of Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage is handed over to the Authority at once.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

كل أثرٍ يُضبط بمقتضى أحكام هذا النظام يسلم فوراً إلى الهيئة.

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 88 explained in plain English

This article determines the fate of seized antiquities.

What the rule covers: every antiquity seized under the Law's provisions.
The rule: it is handed over to the Authority.
Timing: at once.

The aim is that seized antiquities are in the custody of the body responsible for preserving and maintaining them, and do not remain with the body that seized them for a period that might expose them to damage or loss. Whichever body seizes the antiquity must therefore hand it over to the Authority at once.

The text is general, so it covers antiquities seized in any violation of the Law, and does not distinguish between immovable and movable antiquities or between one seizing body and another. It does not set out the procedures for handing over.

Note that the article speaks of handing over after seizure and does not deal with the final ruling on the ownership of the antiquity, so it should not be inferred from this text alone that handing over transfers ownership or settles the fate of the antiquity.

This article comes after Article 87, which requires government bodies to notify the Authority when they learn of any violation, and before Article 89, under which the Authority gives financial rewards to those who help seize antiquities or give information about violations. Anyone who has had antiquities seized and wants to know his position would be wise 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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