Article 11 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 11 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الثالث: الإجراءات
Article 11 allows the Public Prosecution to suspend proceedings against a person who voluntarily reported a crime under the Law and cooperated with the competent authorities, without prejudice to the private claimant's right.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع عدم الإخلال بحق المدعي بالحق الخاص، للنيابة العامة إيقاف إجراءات الدعوى بحق من بادر بالإبلاغ عن جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام -قبل ارتكابها أو بعده- وتعاون مع جهات الاختصاص أثناء التحقيق للقبض على باقي مرتكبيها أو على مرتكبي جريمة أخرى مماثلة لها في النوع والخطورة، أو أرشد جهات الاختصاص إلى أشخاص مطلوبين أمنيًّا أو خطرين لديهم مخططات إجرامية مماثلة لنوع الجريمة القائمة وخطورتها.
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 11 explained in plain English
This article encourages reporting and cooperation, allowing the Public Prosecution to suspend proceedings against a person connected to a crime under the Law if the following applies to him or her:
- He or she voluntarily reports the crime, whether before or after it is committed.
- And cooperates with the competent authorities during the investigation to arrest the others who committed it, or those who committed another crime similar to it in type and seriousness.
- Or guides the competent authorities to persons wanted for security reasons, or dangerous persons with criminal plans similar in type and seriousness to the crime at hand.
Two points are important in understanding the article:
- The suspension is discretionary for the Public Prosecution: the text says "the Public Prosecution may", so it may decide it but is not obliged to.
- The suspension is without prejudice to the private claimant's right, so it does not affect the right of the injured person to claim his or her right.
The article does not explain the long-term effect of the suspension or its detailed procedures. It comes after Article 10 on the travel ban, and before Article 12 on temporary release. Anyone thinking of reporting who has a connection to the incident would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A young man became involved in a group planning a terrorist act, then voluntarily reported it before it was carried out and cooperated with the investigators until the rest of its members were arrested. The Public Prosecution may suspend proceedings against him, while any injured person keeps the right to claim his or her private right.
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 11 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
Is a person who reports a terrorist crime exempt from punishment?
The article allows the Public Prosecution to suspend proceedings against a person who voluntarily reported and cooperated with the competent authorities or guided them to wanted persons. The suspension is discretionary, not an automatic right.
Must the reporting be before the crime occurs?
No. The article provides that the report may be before the crime is committed or after it.
Does the injured person's right lapse if proceedings are suspended against the reporter?
No. The article provides that the suspension is without prejudice to the private claimant's right.
More articles on Aggravating and Mitigating Penalties
- Article 40
Article 40 punishes with imprisonment of 10 to 30 years anyone who kidnaps, detains or confines a person, or threatens to, in carrying out a terrorist or terrorist financing crime, and the court may sentence to death where a weapon is used.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ثلاثين) سنة ولا تقل عن (عشر) سنوات, كل من خطف شخصاً أو احتجزه أو حبسه أو هدد بأي من تلك الأفعال تنفيذاً لجريمة إرهابية أو جريمة تم
- Article 41
Article 41 punishes with imprisonment of 10 to 30 years anyone who hijacks a means of public transport, or threatens to, in carrying out a terrorist or terrorist financing crime, and with death if the act is accompanied by use or brandishing of weapons.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ثلاثين) سنة ولا تقل عن (عشر) سنوات، كـل مـن اختطـف أي وسيلة من وسائل النقل العام أو هدد بأي من تلك الأفعال؛ تنفيذاً لجريمة إرهابية
- Article 50
Article 50 prescribes death where a crime under the Law results in the death of one or more persons, and sets the imprisonment term at no less than half its maximum in cases of weapons, non-profit organizations, repeat offending or exploiting minors.
1- يعاقب بالقتل كل من ارتكب أيًّا من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام نتج عنها وفاة شخص أو أكثر. 2- لا تقل عقوبة السجن المقرر لكل من ارتكب أيًّا من الجرائم المنص
- Article 51
Article 51 punishes attempt at crimes under the Law with the penalty prescribed for the act, and treats as an accomplice, with the same penalty, anyone who contributes by agreement, incitement or assistance, conceals evidence or helps a wanted person escape.
1- يُعاقب كل من شرع في القيام بارتكاب أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام بالعقوبة المقررة لذلك الفعل. 2- يعد شريكاً في أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام
- Article 52
Article 52 provides that the discretionary (ta'zir) penalties in the Law do not affect any more severe penalty based on the provisions of Islamic Sharia or other laws.
لا تخل العقوبات التعزيرية الواردة في النظام؛ بأي عقوبة أشد تستند إلى أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية أو الأنظمة الأخرى.
- Article 54
Article 54 punishes with imprisonment of up to 5 years anyone who knew of a plan to carry out a terrorist or terrorist financing crime and did not report it to the competent authorities though able to.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس) سنوات كل من علم بمشروع لتنفيذ جريمة إرهابية أو جريمة تمويل إرهاب ولم يبلغ السلطات المختصة مع تمكنه من الإبلاغ.
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.