Article 39 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 39 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
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.
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 هرَّب أيًّا من الأسلحة، أو الذخائر، أو المتفجرات، أو المواد النووية أو الكيميـائيـة أو البيـولوجيـة أو الإشعـاعـية، أو السموم، أو الأجهزة الحارقة، أو أيَّا من وسائل الاتصال السلكية أو اللاسلكية أو الإلكترونية، أو صَنَعها، أو طوّرها، أو جَمَعها، أو حضّرها، أو جهّزها، أو استوردها، أو حازها، أو أحرزها، أو هرّب أيًّا من الأجزاء أو المـواد الأولـيـة أو الأجـهـزة التـي تستخـدم في صُنعِهـا أو تـحضيرهـا أو تجهـيزهـا، أو نَقَلها عن طريق البريد أو إحدى وسائل النقل العام أو الخاص، أو أي وسيلة أخرى؛ بقصد استخدامها في ارتكاب أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام.
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 39 explained in plain English
This article punishes with imprisonment for no less than 15 years and no more than 25 years dealing in the means of a terrorist crime, provided this is done with the intent to use them in committing any of the crimes set out in the Law.
Materials covered: weapons, ammunition, explosives, nuclear, chemical, biological or radiological materials, poisons, incendiary devices, and wired, wireless or electronic means of communication.
Acts covered:
- Smuggling, manufacturing, developing, assembling, preparing, equipping, importing, possessing or holding.
- Smuggling the parts, raw materials or devices used in manufacturing, preparing or equipping them.
- Transporting them by mail, by public or private means of transport, or by any other means.
The article is therefore not limited to ready-made weapons, but extends to the raw materials and parts that go into making them. In all its forms, however, it requires the intent to use them in a crime under the Law.
The article follows Article 38, which punishes supplying means of communication and other facilities with imprisonment of 10 to 20 years.
Because proving intent is an essential element here, a person facing an accusation under the article should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person imported through postal shipments components used to prepare explosives and stored them in a warehouse in Dammam to hand over to a group planning a bombing. If his intent to use them in a terrorist crime is established, he is punished with imprisonment of 15 to 25 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 39 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is the penalty for smuggling weapons to use in a terrorist act?
Imprisonment for no less than 15 years and no more than 25 years when the smuggling is with the intent to use them in committing any of the crimes under the Law.
Does the article cover raw materials for making explosives?
Yes. It covers smuggling the parts, raw materials or devices used in manufacturing, preparing or equipping these materials.
Does transporting weapons by mail fall within the article?
Yes. The article mentions transport by mail, by public or private means of transport, or by any other means, with the intent to use them in crimes under the Law.
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 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 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.