Article 17 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 17 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الثالث: الإجراءات
Article 17 requires Customs, when terrorist financing is suspected, to seize currency, bearer instruments, gold, precious metals, gems and jewelry whatever their value, and refer them and their carrier immediately.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع عدم الإخلال بالأحكام ذات الصلة بمصلحة الجمارك العامة الواردة في نظام مكافحة غسل الأموال؛ تقوم المصلحة -عند الاشتباه بوجود حالة تمويل الإرهاب- بحجز ما يشتبه به من العملات أو الأدوات القابلة للتداول لحاملها أو السبائك الذهبية أو المعادن الثمينة أو الأحجار الكريمة أو المجوهرات المشغولة مهما كانت قيمتها، وإحالتها وحاملها -إن وجد- فوراً للجهة المختصة لاتخاذ الإجراءات النظامية مع إشعار الإدارة العامة للتحريات المالية بذلك، وتحدد اللائحة الأحكام المتعلقة بتطبيق هذه المادة.
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 17 explained in plain English
This article deals with the role of the General Authority of Customs in combating terrorist financing at border points.
When a case of terrorist financing is suspected, the Authority does the following:
- Seizes what is suspected of being: currency, bearer negotiable instruments, gold bars, precious metals, gems or worked jewelry, whatever their value.
- Refers them and their carrier (if any) immediately to the competent authority to take the legal procedures.
- Notifies the General Directorate of Financial Intelligence of this.
The phrase "whatever their value" means that the seizure here is not tied to a particular monetary threshold; the criterion is suspicion of terrorist financing. The article begins with the phrase "without prejudice" to the customs provisions in the Anti-Money Laundering Law, meaning this article does not cancel those provisions. The Regulations set the provisions on applying the article.
It follows Article 16, on the compensation request before the settlement committee, and precedes Article 18, which gives investigation and prosecution to the Public Prosecution. A person whose belongings have been seized at a customs point should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A traveler arrives at an airport carrying jewelry and gold bars, and customs officers suspect a link to terrorist financing. Under this article, Customs seizes these items whatever their value, immediately refers them and the traveler to the competent authority, and notifies the General Directorate of Financial Intelligence.
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 17 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
May Customs seize gold or cash carried by a traveler?
Yes. When terrorist financing is suspected, the General Authority of Customs seizes the suspected currency, gold bars, precious metals, gems and jewelry, whatever their value.
Is there a minimum amount before Customs seizes under this article?
No. The article provides for seizure whatever the value once there is suspicion of terrorist financing.
What happens after Customs seizes the items?
The seized items and their carrier, if any, are referred immediately to the competent authority to take the legal procedures, and the General Directorate of Financial Intelligence is notified.
More articles on Arrest and Search in Terrorism Crimes
- Article 4
Article 4 gives the Presidency of State Security the tasks of criminal arrest and evidence gathering, financial investigation and tracing a suspect's funds and the proceeds and instrumentalities of crime under the Law.
تتولى رئاسة أمن الدولة مهام الضبط الجنائي والاستدلال بما في ذلك البحث والتحري والضبط والملاحقة الجنائية والإدارية وجمع الأدلة والقرائن والتحري المالي والعمليات
- Article 5
Article 5 gives the Public Prosecution the power to issue a summons or an arrest and bring order against a suspect, and bars keeping an arrested person detained more than 7 days without a written order.
تختص النيابة العامة بإصدار تكليف بالحضور أو أمر بالقبض والإحضار على من يشتبه في ارتكابه أيًّا من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام. وفي جميع الأحوال لا يجوز إبقاء
- Article 6
Article 6 lets the Public Prosecution, and the Presidency of State Security at the evidence-gathering stage, request records and information from any person or institution, and requires fast, accurate execution and confidentiality.
1- للنيابة العامة -من تلقاء نفسها أو بناءً على طلب رجل الضبط الـجنائي- أن تطلب من أي شخص أو من المؤسسات المالية، أو الأعمال والمهن غير المالية المحددة، أو المنظ
- Article 7
Article 7 gives the Public Prosecution the power to authorize entering and searching homes, offices and buildings, and arrest and seizure, and allows acting without authorization in necessity with a record and notice to the Prosecution within 24 hours.
1- تختص النيابة العامة بإصدار إذن بدخول المساكن أو المكاتب أو المباني وتفتيشها في أي وقت خلال المدة المحددة في إذن التفتيش والقبض على الأشخاص وضبط وتحريز الأموا
- Article 8
Article 8 allows the Attorney General to issue a reasoned order to monitor, access, intercept, seize and record evidence, records, messages, means of communication and electronic information linked to crimes under the Law.
للنائب العام أن يصدر أمراً مُسبباً بالمراقبة والوصول إلى الأدلة والسجلات والرسائل -بما فيها الخطابات والمطبوعات والطرود وسائر وسائل الاتصال والمعلومات والمستندا
- Article 15
Article 15 allows criminal investigation officers and military personnel assigned to combat crimes under the Law to use force to apprehend those crimes, under the rules set by law.
لرجال الضبط الجنائي أو العسكريين المكلفين بمكافحة الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام في سبيل ضبط أي من تلك الجرائم استعمال القوة وفقاً للضوابط المنصوص عليها نظاماً
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.