Article 2 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 2 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الثاني: أحكام عامة
Article 2 treats all crimes under the Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law as major crimes requiring detention.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تعد الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام من الجرائم الكبيرة الموجبة للتوقيف.
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 2 explained in plain English
This article sets a general rule that applies to all the crimes provided for in the Law without exception, describing them as major crimes requiring detention.
This description means these are crimes for which an accusation requires the accused to be detained, so they are not treated as minor offenses. The article itself does not set out the periods or procedures of detention or the cases of release.
To understand the scope of the article, refer to Article 1, which defines the terrorist crime and the terrorism financing crime; the rule covers terrorist acts themselves, and also providing funds to commit a terrorist crime or for the benefit of a terrorist entity or a terrorist, including financing a terrorist's travel and training.
It is followed by Article 3, which extends the Law's application to some crimes committed outside the Kingdom, so the description may cover what falls within its scope.
Anyone facing an accusation of one of these crimes, or concerned about the situation of a relative, would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases to learn his or her rights at the investigation stage.
Practical example
A person in Riyadh is accused of collecting funds and transferring them for the benefit of a group that aims to commit a terrorist crime. This act falls within the definition of the terrorism financing crime, and so under this article it is a major crime requiring detention, and is not treated as a minor violation.
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 2 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
Are terrorism financing crimes subject to detention?
Yes. The article treats all crimes in the Law, including the terrorism financing crime, as major crimes requiring detention.
Does this article set the length of detention?
No. The article is limited to describing these crimes as major and requiring detention, and mentions no periods or procedures.
More articles on Definition of a Terrorist Crime
- Article 1
Article 1 defines the key terms of the Law, such as terrorist crime, terrorism financing, terrorist, terrorist entity, funds, precautionary seizure and confiscation.
يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني الموضحة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتضِ السياق خلاف ذلك: 1- النظام: نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويل
- Article 3
Article 3 extends the Law to any Saudi or foreigner who commits a crime under it outside the Kingdom and has not been tried for it, if it aims at one of seven stated purposes.
استثناءً من مبدأ الإقليمية، يسري النظام على كل شخص سعوديًّا كان أم أجنبيًّا ارتكب -خارج المملكة- جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام، أو ساعد على ارتكابها،
- Article 91
The Article provides that intent, knowledge or purpose in a terrorist crime or a terrorism financing crime is established from the circumstances and facts surrounding the commission of the act.
يُتحقق من القصد أو العلم أو الغرض في ارتكاب جريمة إرهابية أو جريمة تمويل إرهاب من خلال ظروف وملابسات ارتكاب الفعل الجرمي.
- Article 92
The Article provides for applying the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Law on the obligations of financial institutions, designated non-financial professions and non-profit organizations where this Law has no provision.
تطبق الأحكام الواردة في نظام مكافحة غسل الأموال المتعلقة بالتزامات المؤسسات المالية، والأعمال والمهن غير المالية المحددة، والمنظمات غير الهادفة إلى الربح, وذلك
- Article 93
The Article provides for applying the provisions of the Law of Criminal Procedure where the Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law has no specific provision.
تطبق أحكام نظام الإجراءات الجزائية فيما لم يرد فيه نص خاص في النظام.
- Article 94
The Article provides that this Law replaces the Law of Terrorism Crimes and Financing issued by Royal Decree No. (M/16) dated 24/2/1435 AH, and repeals any provisions that conflict with it.
يحل هذا النظام محل نظام جرائم الارهاب وتمويله، الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي رقم (م / 16) وتاريخ 1435 / 2 / 24 هـ ، ويلغي ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
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.