Article 12 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 12 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الثالث: الإجراءات
Article 12 allows the Public Prosecution to release a person detained in a crime under the Law temporarily, unless it would harm the investigation or there is fear of flight or disappearance.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
للنيابة العامة الإفراج المؤقت عن أي موقوف في إحدى الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام، ما لم يترتب على ذلك إضرار بمصلحة التحقيقات أو كان يخشى هربه أو اختفاؤه.
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 12 explained in plain English
This article deals with temporary release of a person detained in one of the crimes under the Law while proceedings are under way.
The article gives this power to the Public Prosecution, and restricts it so that the release does not result in any of the following:
- Harm to the interest of the investigations.
- Fear that the detainee will flee.
- Fear that he or she will disappear.
If none of these exists, the Prosecution may release him or her temporarily. The release here is discretionary, meaning the Prosecution assesses it, and it is temporary by nature, so it does not mean the end of the case or the innocence of the accused. The article mentions no other conditions for release or particular guarantees.
This article has been amended, and the text shown above is the text in force. It is followed by Article 13, which deals with a different case: temporary release of a convicted person during the execution of the sentence by decision of the head of State Security. Before it is Article 11, which allows suspension of proceedings against a cooperating reporter.
Anyone with a detained relative who wants to know whether temporary release is possible would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
An employee in Riyadh is detained for investigation into a crime under the Law. After the evidence is collected, the Public Prosecution considers that releasing him would not harm the investigations and there is no fear of his flight or disappearance, so it may release him temporarily while the case continues.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 12 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
Can a detainee in a terrorism case be released temporarily?
Yes. The Public Prosecution may release him or her temporarily unless that would harm the interest of the investigations or there is fear of flight or disappearance.
Does temporary release mean the case is over?
No. The release the article provides for is temporary, and the article does not say it ends the proceedings.
Amendment history
Amendment
Official amendment text (Arabic)
تعديل المادة لتكون بالنص الآتي:
"للنيابة العامة الإفراج المؤقت عن أي موقوف في إحدى الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام، ما لم يترتب على ذلك إضرار بمصلحة التحقيقات أو كان يخشى هربه أو اختفاؤه".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
للنيابة العامة الإفراج المؤقت عن أي موقوف في إحدى الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام، ما لم تكن هناك محاذير أمنية.
More articles on Detention and Travel Ban
- Article 2
Article 2 treats all crimes under the Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law as major crimes requiring detention.
تعد الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام من الجرائم الكبيرة الموجبة للتوقيف.
- Article 10
Article 10 allows the head of State Security to impose a travel ban on a suspect, with the order put to the Prosecution within 72 hours, and the Attorney General to ban an accused person, with notice to the person optionally withheld.
1- لرئيس أمن الدولة منع المشتبه به في ارتكاب أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام من السفر إلى خارج المملكة، على أن يتم عرض أمر المنع على النيابة العامة خلال م
- Article 13
Article 13 allows the Head of State Security to temporarily release a person convicted of a crime under the Law while the sentence is being served, under rules and conditions set by the Regulations.
لرئيس أمن الدولة -وفق ضوابط وشروط تحددها اللائحة- الإفراج المؤقت عن المحكوم عليه في جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام أثناء تنفيذ العقوبة.
- Article 14
Article 14 gives the Head of State Security the power to set the rules, procedures and measures needed to ensure the security situation of persons released in crimes under the Law.
لرئيس أمن الدولة وضع ما يلزم من ضوابط وإجراءات وتدابير لضمان سلامة الوضع الأمني للمفرج عنهم في الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام.
- Article 19
Article 19 lets the Public Prosecution detain an accused for periods of up to 30 days each, not exceeding 12 months in total; anything longer is referred to the competent court.
تختص النيابة العامة بإصدار أمر توقيف أي متهم في جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام مدة أو مدداً متعاقبة لا يزيد أي منها على (ثلاثين) يوماً ولا تزيد في مجم
- Article 20
Article 20 allows the Public Prosecution to bar contact with or visits to the accused for up to 90 days when the interest of the investigation requires it, without prejudice to the right to notify his family of the arrest.
دون الإخلال بالحق في إبلاغ ذوي المتهم بالقبض عليه؛ للنيابة العامة أن تأمر بمنع الاتصال بالمتهم أو زيارته مدة لا تزيد على (تسعين) يوماً إذا اقتضت مصلحة التحقيق ذ
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.