Article 32 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 32 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
Article 32 punishes with imprisonment of 15 to 25 years anyone who establishes, manages or leads a terrorist entity, increased to 20 to 30 years for military personnel and those who received training with a terrorist entity.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس وعشرين) سنة ولا تقل عن (خمس عشرة) سنة، كل من أنشأ كياناً إرهابياً أو أداره أو تولى منصباً قياديًّا فيه، فإن كان الفاعل من ضباط القوات العسكرية أو من أفرادها, أو كان قد سبق له تلقي تدريبات لدى كيان إرهابي، فلا تقل عقوبة السجن عن (عشرين) سنة ولا تزيد على (ثلاثين) سنة.
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 32 explained in plain English
This article punishes the most serious forms of involvement with terrorist entities: establishing a terrorist entity, managing it, or holding a leadership position in it. The basic penalty is imprisonment for no less than 15 years and no more than 25 years.
A terrorist entity, under Article 1, is any group of two or more persons, inside or outside the Kingdom, that aims to commit a crime set out in the Law. The entity therefore need not be large or inside the Kingdom.
The article increases the penalty in two cases:
- If the offender is one of the officers or members of the military forces.
- If he has previously received training with a terrorist entity.
In these two cases the penalty is imprisonment for no less than 20 years and no more than 30 years.
This article differs from Article 33, which punishes merely joining or participating in a terrorist entity with imprisonment of 3 to 20 years; Article 32 concerns whoever founds, manages or leads the entity, which is why its penalty is more severe. Article 31 before it punishes carrying weapons or explosives in carrying out a terrorist crime with imprisonment of 10 to 30 years.
A person facing an accusation under this article should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Two people agreed to form a group aiming to carry out attacks inside the Kingdom, and one of them took over distributing tasks and managing the group. If this is established, whoever established or managed it is punished with imprisonment of 15 to 25 years, and if he had previously received training with a terrorist entity, the penalty is no less than 20 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 32 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is the penalty for establishing a terrorist entity in Saudi Arabia?
Imprisonment for no less than 15 years and no more than 25 years for anyone who establishes a terrorist entity, manages it or holds a leadership position in it.
When is the penalty increased for the leader of a terrorist entity?
If he is one of the officers or members of the military forces, or has previously received training with a terrorist entity, the penalty is imprisonment of 20 to 30 years.
How many people does it take to be a terrorist entity?
Under Article 1, a group of two or more persons, inside or outside the Kingdom, that aims to commit a crime under the Law is enough.
More articles on Penalty for Joining a Terrorist Entity
- Article 33
Article 33 punishes with imprisonment of 3 to 20 years anyone who joins or participates in a terrorist entity, increased to 15 to 30 years for military personnel and those who previously received training with a terrorist entity.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (عشرين) سنة ولا تقل عن (ثلاث) سنوات، كل من انضم إلى كيان إرهابي أو شارك فيه، فإن كان الفاعل من ضباط القوات العسكرية أو من أفرادها،
- Article 35
Article 35 punishes with imprisonment of 8 to 25 years anyone who incites joining a terrorist entity, recruits for it or helps finance this, and no less than 15 years if he prevents withdrawal or abuses authority.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس وعشرين) سنة ولا تقل عن (ثماني) سنوات، كل من حرض آخر على الانضمام إلى أي كيان إرهابي, أو المشاركة في أنشطته، أو جنّده، أو ساهم
- 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
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.