Article 31 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 31 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
Article 31 punishes with imprisonment of 10 to 30 years anyone who carries any weapon or explosives in carrying out a terrorist crime.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ثلاثين) سنة ولا تقل عن (عشر) سنوات، كل من قام بحَمل أي سلاح أو متفجرات تنفيذاً لجريمة إرهابية.
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 31 explained in plain English
This article sets the penalty for a person who carries any weapon or explosives in carrying out a terrorist crime: imprisonment for no less than 10 years and no more than 30 years. The court sets the term within this range.
The decisive element in the article is the link between carrying and a terrorist crime, that is, the carrying of the weapon or explosives must be in carrying out that crime. A terrorist crime, under Article 1, is any conduct by the offender in carrying out an individual or collective criminal project intended to disturb public order, shake the security of society and the stability of the State, harm any person, or other purposes mentioned there, where the purpose by its nature or context is to terrorize people or compel a government or international organization to do or refrain from doing something. So the article does not address carrying a weapon in itself, but carrying it in this context.
The article falls within Chapter Four on penalties, in which penalties are graded by the seriousness of the act. Article 30 punishes describing the King or the Crown Prince in a way that impugns religion or justice with imprisonment of 5 to 10 years, and Article 32 punishes establishing, managing or leading a terrorist entity with imprisonment of 15 to 25 years.
Because assessing the presence of terrorist intent and the circumstances of the incident is a delicate matter, a person facing an accusation of this kind should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Security authorities caught a person carrying an explosive device in his car as part of a plan to target a public gathering in order to terrorize people. If it is established that his carrying the explosives was in carrying out a terrorist crime, he is punished with imprisonment for no less than 10 years and no more than 30 years.
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 31 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is the penalty for carrying a weapon to carry out a terrorist crime in Saudi Arabia?
Imprisonment for no less than 10 years and no more than 30 years, under Article 31 of the Law.
Does the article apply to everyone who carries a weapon?
No. The article requires that the carrying of the weapon or explosives be in carrying out a terrorist crime within the meaning of Article 1 of the Law.
Does the text also cover explosives?
Yes. The text covers carrying any weapon or explosives when this is in carrying out a terrorist crime.
More articles on Penalties for Terrorist Acts
- Article 36
Article 36 punishes with imprisonment of 10 to 20 years anyone who, to commit crimes under the Law, designates a place for training, trains, is trained or finances training on weapons, forgery and combat.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (عشرين) سنة ولا تقل عن (عشر) سنوات، كل من قام -لارتكاب أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام- بأحد الأفعال الآتية: 1- خصص مكاناً لل
- Article 37
Article 37 punishes with imprisonment of 10 to 30 years anyone who supplies a terrorist entity, its members or any terrorist with weapons, explosives or hazardous materials, or with genuine or forged documents.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ثلاثين) سنة ولا تقل عن (عشر) سنوات، كل من أمدّ كياناً إرهابيًّا أو أيَّا من أفراده أو أي إرهابي، بأي من الأسلحة، أو المتفجرات، أو
- Article 38
Article 38 punishes with imprisonment of 10 to 20 years anyone who supplies a terrorist entity, its members or a terrorist with a means of communication, information, shelter, transport or any facility that helps achieve their purposes.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (عشرين) سنة ولا تقل عن (عشر) سنوات، كل من أمدَّ كياناً إرهابيًّا أو أيًّا من أفراده أو أي إرهابي، بأي وسيلة اتصال, أو قدم إلى أي من
- Article 39
Article 39 punishes with imprisonment of 15 to 25 years anyone who smuggles, manufactures, possesses or transports weapons, explosives or hazardous materials or their raw materials with the intent to use them in crimes under the Law.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس وعشرين) سنة ولا تقل عن (خمس عشرة) سنة، كل من هرَّب أيًّا من الأسلحة، أو الذخائر، أو المتفجرات، أو المواد النووية أو الكيميـائي
- Article 40
Article 40 punishes with imprisonment of 10 to 30 years anyone who kidnaps, detains or confines a person, or threatens to, in carrying out a terrorist or terrorist financing crime, and the court may sentence to death where a weapon is used.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ثلاثين) سنة ولا تقل عن (عشر) سنوات, كل من خطف شخصاً أو احتجزه أو حبسه أو هدد بأي من تلك الأفعال تنفيذاً لجريمة إرهابية أو جريمة تم
- Article 41
Article 41 punishes with imprisonment of 10 to 30 years anyone who hijacks a means of public transport, or threatens to, in carrying out a terrorist or terrorist financing crime, and with death if the act is accompanied by use or brandishing of weapons.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ثلاثين) سنة ولا تقل عن (عشر) سنوات، كـل مـن اختطـف أي وسيلة من وسائل النقل العام أو هدد بأي من تلك الأفعال؛ تنفيذاً لجريمة إرهابية
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.