Article 41 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 41 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
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.
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، كـل مـن اختطـف أي وسيلة من وسائل النقل العام أو هدد بأي من تلك الأفعال؛ تنفيذاً لجريمة إرهابية، أو جريمة تمويل إرهاب، ويعاقب بالقتل إذا اقترن أي من تلك الأفعال باستعمال أو إشهار أي من الأسلحة أو المتفجرات.
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 41 explained in plain English
This article protects public transport and its passengers from terrorist attacks. Anyone who hijacks any means of public transport, or threatens to hijack it, in carrying out a terrorist crime or a terrorist financing crime, is punished with imprisonment for no less than 10 years and no more than 30 years.
The article provides that the offender "is punished by death" if the hijacking or the threat of it is accompanied by the use or brandishing of any weapons or explosives.
The difference between this article and Article 40 before it appears in the wording of the death penalty: Article 40, on kidnapping and detaining persons, says that "the competent court may sentence to death" where a weapon is used, in a discretionary form, whereas Article 41 uses the phrase "is punished by death".
Important points in the article:
- It treats actual hijacking the same as threatening it.
- It covers what is done in carrying out a terrorist crime or a terrorist financing crime, both of which are defined in Article 1.
- It concerns public means of transport; damaging or disrupting means of transport is punished by Article 42 with imprisonment of 8 to 15 years.
A person facing an accusation under this article needs to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases without delay.
Practical example
A person took control of a public bus full of passengers and threatened the driver with a firearm to compel the authorities to meet the demands of a terrorist entity. If this is established, the hijacking being accompanied by brandishing a weapon makes the penalty provided in the article death.
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 41 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is the penalty for hijacking public transport in Saudi Arabia?
Imprisonment for no less than 10 years and no more than 30 years if the hijacking or the threat of it is in carrying out a terrorist crime or a terrorist financing crime.
When is the penalty for hijacking public transport death?
The article provides for punishment by death if the hijacking or the threat of it is accompanied by the use or brandishing of any weapons or explosives.
What is the difference between Article 40 and Article 41?
Article 40 concerns kidnapping persons and allows the court to sentence to death where a weapon is used; Article 41 concerns hijacking public transport and provides that the offender is punished by death in this case.
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 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
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.