Article 13 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 13 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الثالث: الإجراءات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لرئيس أمن الدولة -وفق ضوابط وشروط تحددها اللائحة- الإفراج المؤقت عن المحكوم عليه في جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام أثناء تنفيذ العقوبة.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article deals with a person who has been sentenced for a crime under the Law and is serving the penalty, and it allows temporary release during the execution of the sentence.
The main points of the article:
- The power belongs to the Head of State Security, not to the Public Prosecution.
- The release is temporary and takes place while the sentence is being served.
- It is done under rules and conditions set by the Implementing Regulations. The article does not state these rules, the length of the release or its grounds; it refers them to the Regulations.
- The release is discretionary: the text says "the Head of State Security may", meaning he has discretion.
This provision differs from Article 12, which concerns temporary release of a detainee before judgment and gives the power to the Public Prosecution. This article concerns a person against whom a judgment has been issued. It is followed by Article 14, which allows the Head of State Security to set the rules and measures needed to ensure the security situation of released persons.
To learn which rules apply to a particular case, it is advisable to consult the Regulations, and the person concerned should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person convicted of a crime under the Law is serving a prison sentence, and his family applies for him to be released temporarily. The decision rests with the Head of State Security under the rules and conditions set by the Regulations; the article itself does not set these conditions.
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 13 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
Can a person convicted in a terrorism case be temporarily released?
Yes. The Head of State Security may release him temporarily while the sentence is being served, under rules and conditions set by the Regulations.
What is the difference between this article and Article 12?
Article 12 concerns the detainee and gives the power to the Public Prosecution. This article concerns the convicted person while serving the sentence and gives the power to the Head of State Security.
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 12
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.
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.
- 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.