Article 38 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 38 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 منهم معلومة أو مشورة، أو إعانة، أو وسيلة للعيش، أو السكن، أو المأوى، أو التطبيب، أو النقل، أو مكاناً للاجتماع، أو غير ذلك من التسهيلات التي تعينه على تحقيق أغراضه.
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 38 explained in plain English
This article punishes logistical support for terrorists with imprisonment for no less than 10 years and no more than 20 years. The act occurs if a person supplies a terrorist entity, any of its members or any terrorist with any of the following:
- Any means of communication.
- Information, advice or assistance.
- A means of livelihood, housing or shelter.
- Medical care or transport.
- A place for meeting.
- Other facilities that help him achieve his purposes.
The phrase "other facilities" makes the list non-exhaustive, so any facility that helps the terrorist achieve his purposes may fall within the article.
A terrorist, as defined in Article 1, is any natural person, in the Kingdom or abroad, who commits a crime under the Law or attempts, participates, plans or contributes to it, and a terrorist entity is any group of two or more persons that aims to commit a crime under the Law.
This article follows Article 37, which punishes supplying weapons, explosives and documents with a more severe penalty (10 to 30 years), and precedes Article 39, which punishes smuggling and manufacturing weapons and hazardous materials with the intent to use them in crimes under the Law with imprisonment of 15 to 25 years.
To assess any accusation of this kind, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person hosted a member of a terrorist entity in his apartment in Jeddah for several weeks and drove him to the group's meeting places. If this is established, providing shelter and transport falls within this article, and he is punished with imprisonment of 10 to 20 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 38 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is the penalty for sheltering a terrorist in Saudi Arabia?
Providing housing or shelter to a terrorist entity, any of its members or any terrorist is punishable by imprisonment of 10 to 20 years.
Is giving information or advice to a terrorist a crime?
Yes. The article covers providing information, advice or assistance to a terrorist entity, any of its members or any terrorist.
Is the list in the article exhaustive?
No. The text adds "other facilities that help him achieve his purposes".
More articles on Penalties for Terrorist Acts
- Article 31
Article 31 punishes with imprisonment of 10 to 30 years anyone who carries any weapon or explosives in carrying out a terrorist crime.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ثلاثين) سنة ولا تقل عن (عشر) سنوات، كل من قام بحَمل أي سلاح أو متفجرات تنفيذاً لجريمة إرهابية.
- 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 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.