Article 20 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 20 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الثالث: الإجراءات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 ذلك. وإن تطلب التحقيق مدة منع أطول، يرفع الأمر إلى المحكمة المختصة لتقرير ما تراه.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article deals with isolating the accused from contact and visits during the investigation of crimes under the Law, with an important safeguard for his family.
Its provisions:
- The safeguard: the right to notify the accused's family of his arrest remains; the bar does not affect this right.
- The bar: the Public Prosecution may order a bar on contact with or visits to the accused.
- The condition: the interest of the investigation must require it.
- The period: no more than 90 days.
- A longer period: if the investigation requires a longer bar, the matter is referred to the competent court to decide what it sees fit.
The family is notified of the arrest, but may be unable to contact or visit the accused during the bar period. The bar is at the Public Prosecution's discretion and is not automatic.
This article is similar in structure to Article 19 before it, which sets the detention periods and makes anything beyond 12 months a court decision. It is followed by Article 21, which allows the Public Prosecution to restrict the accused's right to a lawyer at the investigation stage. A person who has been barred from visiting a detained relative should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A young man was arrested in Makkah in a case under the Law, and his family was notified of the arrest, but the Public Prosecution ordered a bar on visiting or contacting him in the interest of the investigation. This bar may not exceed 90 days except by a decision of the competent court.
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 20 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
Does the family of a detainee have the right to know he was arrested?
Yes. The article provides that the bar on contact and visits is without prejudice to the right to notify the accused's family of the arrest.
How long can visits to a detainee in a terrorism case be barred?
No more than 90 days by order of the Public Prosecution; if the investigation requires a longer period, the matter is referred to the competent court.
When may visits to the accused be barred?
When the interest of the investigation requires it.
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 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
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.