Article 28 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 28 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الثالث: الإجراءات
Article 28 requires the competent authority to execute an order for precautionary seizure of funds, proceeds or instrumentalities urgently.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على الجهة المختصة تنفيذ الأمر الصادر بالحجز التحفظي على الأموال أو المتحصلات أو الوسائط بصورة عاجلة.
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 28 explained in plain English
This article is short but important in practice, as it sets an obligation of speed in executing precautionary seizure orders.
Its substance:
- It is addressed to the competent authority, which under Article 1 means any administrative authority, criminal investigation authority, enforcement authority or supervisory body vested with jurisdiction under the Law, depending on context.
- The object of the obligation is the order issued for precautionary seizure of funds, proceeds or instrumentalities.
- The manner of execution: urgently.
Precautionary seizure, as defined in Article 1, is the temporary prohibition on transferring, converting, exchanging, disposing of, moving or taking possession of funds, pursuant to an order from the competent court or competent authority. The reason for requiring speed is clear: funds can be moved or transferred quickly, and delay may deprive the seizure of its benefit.
The article does not set a specific time period for execution; it only describes it as "urgent". It follows Article 27 on hearing witnesses and protecting them, and precedes Article 29, which provides that the case does not lapse with the passage of time. A person whose funds have been seized should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
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 28 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is required of the competent authority when a precautionary seizure order is issued?
It must execute the order issued for precautionary seizure of funds, proceeds or instrumentalities urgently.
Does the article set a period for executing the seizure?
No. The article only requires urgent execution without setting a period.
More articles on Precautionary Attachment and Confiscation of Funds
- Article 9
Article 9 allows the Public Prosecution, and the head of State Security at the evidence-gathering stage, to order urgent precautionary seizure, without notifying the person concerned, of funds, instrumentalities or proceeds suspected of being linked to crimes under the Law.
1- للنيابة العامة أن تأمـر الجهة المختصة بالحجـز التـحـفـظي -بـصـورة عاجـلة دون إبلاغ الطرف المعني- على الأموال أو الوسائط أو المتحصلات التي يشتبه ارتباطها بأي
- Article 22
Article 22 gives the Public Prosecution the power to identify and trace the funds, instrumentalities and proceeds that may be subject to confiscation, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties.
دون الإخلال بحقوق الغير الحسن النية، تتولى النيابة العامة صلاحية تحديد الأموال والوسائط والمتحصلات التي قد تخضع للمصادرة وتعقّبها.
- Article 58
Article 58 provides for confiscation by judicial ruling of the proceeds, instrumentalities and funds connected to crimes under the Law or prepared for them, even if held by someone other than the offender, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties.
مع عدم الإخلال بحقوق الغير الحسن النية، يصادر بحكم قضائي -بصرف النظر عمّا إذا كانت في حيازة أو ملكية الجاني أو طرف آخر- ما يلي: 1- المتحصلات. فإن اختلطت بأموال
- Article 59
Article 59 provides for confiscating, by judicial ruling, other funds equal in value to the funds, instrumentalities or proceeds if they cannot be confiscated under Article 58 or their location cannot be determined.
إذا تعذر مصادرة الأموال أو الوسائط أو المتحصلات وفقاً للمادة (الثامنة والخمسين) من النظام أو لم يمكن تحديد مكانها، فتصادر بحكم قضائي أي أموال أخرى تعادل قيمة تل
- Article 60
Article 60 bars confiscation of funds, instrumentalities or proceeds if their owner proves he obtained them for a fair price, for a service commensurate with their value, or on other lawful grounds, and was unaware of their unlawful source.
لا تجوز مصادرة الأموال أو الوسائط أو المتحصلات متى أثبت صاحبها أنّه حصل عليها لقاء ثمن عادل أو مقابل تقديمه خدمة تتناسب مع قيمتها أو حصل عليها بناءً على أسباب م
- Article 61
Article 61 allows the Specialized Criminal Court to annul or prevent any act whose parties know it weakens the authorities' ability to recover funds subject to confiscation.
للمحكمة المختصة من تلقاء نفسها أو بناءً على طلب إبطال أو منع أي إجراء أو عمل -تعاقدي أو غير تعاقدي- إذا علم أطرافه أو أحدهم أو كان لمثلهم أن يعلموا بأن أي من تل
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.