Article 172 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 172 من نظام الطيران المدني · الباب الثاني عشر: العقوبات والجزاءات
The Board of Grievances hears crimes violating the Law committed in the Kingdom, on Saudi-registered aircraft or aircraft operated by a Saudi over the high seas, always at the Authority's request.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يختص ديوان المظالم بنظر جميع الجرائم التي تقع مخالفة لأحكام هذا النظام أو لائحته أو القرارات أو التعليمات الصادرة في شأنه، وذلك إذا ارتكبت في إقليم المملكة أو على متن الطائرات المسجلة في المملكة أو على متن الطائرات التي يشغلها سعودي فوق أعالي البحار أو الأماكن غير الخاضعة لسلطة أي دولة.
2- تحرك الدعوى الجنائية في جميع الأحوال بناء على طلب 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 172 explained in plain English
This article determines the judicial body competent over civil aviation crimes, and who sets the case in motion.
1- Jurisdiction: The Board of Grievances has jurisdiction to hear all crimes committed in violation of the provisions of the Law, its Regulations, or the decisions or instructions issued under it, if committed:
- in the territory of the Kingdom; or
- on board aircraft registered in the Kingdom; or
- on board aircraft operated by a Saudi over the high seas or places not subject to the authority of any state.
2- Bringing the case: Criminal proceedings are brought in all cases at the request of the Authority. The Authority is the gateway through which these cases reach the courts.
Practical effect:
- A crime committed on a Saudi aircraft, even outside the Kingdom, falls within the jurisdiction of the Board of Grievances.
- Proceedings are brought only at the Authority's request, according to the express text.
The article speaks of crimes violating the provisions of this Law, its Regulations, decisions and instructions; it does not address the jurisdiction of other bodies over crimes provided for in other laws.
This article follows Article 171 on suspending or withdrawing a license upon a criminal judgment, and precedes Article 173, which allows confiscation of an aircraft by court judgment in specified cases. Anyone facing criminal proceedings in civil aviation needs a lawyer specializing in administrative and criminal cases.
Practical example
A person committed an act violating the Law on board an aircraft registered in the Kingdom while it was flying over the high seas. The Board of Grievances has jurisdiction to hear this crime, and criminal proceedings are brought at the Authority's request.
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 172 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Which court has jurisdiction over Civil Aviation Law crimes?
The Board of Grievances has jurisdiction over all crimes committed in violation of the Law, its Regulations, or the decisions or instructions issued under it, in the cases the article specifies.
Who brings the case in aviation crimes?
Criminal proceedings are brought in all cases at the request of the Authority.
More articles on Aviation Security Offenses and Penalties
- Article 14
Unauthorized persons may not interfere with or obstruct the flight crew during flight, and no one may tamper with the aircraft or endanger its safety, its crew or its passengers.
يحظر على أي شخص غير مخول رسميا أن يتدخل في أعمال أي عضو من أعضاء هيئة القيادة أو يعوقه عن عمله أثناء فترة الطيران ، كما يحظر على أي شخص العبث بأي جزء من أجزاء ا
- Article 19
The owner or operator of an aircraft registered in the Kingdom may not offer or sell alcohol, narcotics or prohibited items on board; arrivals may not possess them, and no aircraft may carry them into the Kingdom.
1 - يحظر على مالك أي طائرة مسجلة في المملكة، أو مشغلها أن يقدم أو يبيع لأي شخص على متنها أي مشروبات كحولية ، أو مواد مخدرة ، أو أي مواد محظور دخولها إلى المملكة
- Article 105
The article prohibits anyone from boarding an aircraft if they show signs of intoxication or drug use.
يحظر على أي شخص ركوب الطائرة إذا كانت تبدو عليه علامات السكر أو المخدر.
- Article 106
The article prohibits piloting an aircraft or working as a crew member while under the influence of an intoxicant, drug or impairing medication, and prohibits taking any of them throughout the period of work.
يحظر على أي شخص أن يقود طائرة أو أن يعمل كأحد أفراد طاقمها ما دام تحت تأثير مسكر أو مخدر أو دواء يؤدي إلى إضعاف مقدرته على القيام بواجباته على الوجه الأكمل، وفي
- Article 153
The provisions of the international treaties and conventions the Kingdom has approved, and the laws applied in the Kingdom, apply to crimes and acts committed against the security and safety of civil aviation and aircraft.
تطبق على الجرائم والأفعال التي ترتكب ضد أمن وسلامة الطيران المدني والطائرات؛ أحكام المعاهدات والاتفاقيات الدولية بهذا الشأن التي وافقت عليها المملكة وأحكام الأن
- Article 154
The article specifies the acts that are crimes against aviation security, such as violence on board an aircraft, destroying it, giving false information, seizing it, assaults at airports, assaulting crew, harassment and theft.
1- يُعد مرتبكًا لجريمة أي شخص يشرع في ارتكاب أو يرتكب عمدا ودون حق مشروع فعلا من الأفعال الآتية أو يشارك شخصا آخر يشرع أو يرتكب هذا الفعل: أ - أن يقوم بعمل من أ
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.