Article 35 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 35 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
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.
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 (ثماني) سنوات، كل من حرض آخر على الانضمام إلى أي كيان إرهابي, أو المشاركة في أنشطته، أو جنّده، أو ساهم في تمويل أي من ذلك, فإن كان قد عمل على منعه من الانسحاب من الكيان، أو استغل لهذا الغرض ما يكون له عليه من ولاية أو سلطة أو مسؤولية أو أي صفة تعليمية أو تدريبية أو توجيهية أو اجتماعية أو إرشادية أو إعلامية، فلا تقل عقوبة السجن عن (خمس عشرة) 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 35 explained in plain English
This article targets whoever pushes others toward terrorism. It punishes with imprisonment for no less than 8 years and no more than 25 years anyone who commits one of the following acts:
- Inciting another person to join any terrorist entity or take part in its activities.
- Recruiting him.
- Contributing to the financing of any of that.
The article raises the minimum penalty to 15 years in two cases:
- If the offender worked to prevent the person from withdrawing from the entity.
- If he abused for this purpose any guardianship, authority or responsibility he has over that person, or any educational, training, guidance, social, advisory or media capacity.
The aim of the increase is to protect those who fall under the influence of others, such as children, students, trainees and followers of someone with a media role.
This article differs from Article 34, which punishes supporting and promoting terrorist thought with imprisonment of 3 to 8 years.
A person facing an accusation of incitement or recruitment should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person working in training abused his relationship with a number of trainees under him in a Saudi city and persuaded them to join a terrorist entity. If this is established, his penalty is no less than 15 years' imprisonment because he abused his training capacity in recruitment.
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 35 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is the penalty for recruiting a person for a terrorist organization?
Imprisonment for no less than 8 years and no more than 25 years for anyone who incites another to join a terrorist entity, recruits him or contributes to financing that.
When is the penalty for recruitment not less than 15 years?
If the offender worked to prevent the person from withdrawing from the entity, or abused any guardianship, authority, responsibility or educational, training, guidance, social, advisory or media capacity.
Is someone who only financed the recruitment punished?
Yes. The article covers anyone who contributed to financing incitement to join, participation or recruitment.
More articles on Penalty for Joining a Terrorist Entity
- Article 32
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.
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
- 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 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.