Article 42 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 42 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
Article 42 punishes with imprisonment of 8 to 15 years anyone who, in carrying out a terrorist crime, destroys, disrupts or endangers public or private facilities and property, means of transport or navigation installations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس عشرة) سنة ولا تقل عن (ثماني) سنوات، كـل من أتلف -تنفيذاً لجريمة إرهابية- أي من المرافق والأملاك العامة أو الخاصة أو أي وسيلة من وسائل النقل، أو إحدى منشآت الملاحة الجوية أو البحرية أو البرية، أو المنصات المثبتة في قعر البحر، أو عرَّضها للخطر، أو عطّلها، أو عرقل الخدمات فيها.
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 42 explained in plain English
This article protects facilities and installations from terrorist acts. It punishes with imprisonment for no less than 8 years and no more than 15 years anyone who, in carrying out a terrorist crime, does any of the following:
- Destroys the facility.
- Endangers it.
- Disrupts it.
- Obstructs services in it.
The protection covers:
- Public or private facilities and property.
- Any means of transport.
- Air, sea or land navigation installations.
- Platforms fixed on the seabed.
Article 1 defines public and private facilities and property as the real estate, movables and installations owned by the State or public legal persons or designated for a public interest, and the activities they provide for public benefit, and it also includes the real estate, movables and installations belonging to individuals or private legal persons. So the protection is not limited to government property.
Note that the article does not require actual destruction to occur; merely endangering the facility or obstructing its services is enough when done in carrying out a terrorist crime. The article follows Article 41 on hijacking public transport, and precedes Article 43 on the use of websites and electronic programs in crimes under the Law.
To assess any accusation of this kind, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person disrupted the operating systems at an electricity distribution station, intending to spread panic among people and shake security as part of a plan of a terrorist entity, and service was cut to a residential neighborhood. If this is established, he is punished with imprisonment of 8 to 15 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 42 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is the penalty for sabotaging public facilities for terrorist purposes?
Imprisonment for no less than 8 years and no more than 15 years for anyone who destroys facilities, endangers them, disrupts them or obstructs services in them in carrying out a terrorist crime.
Does the article cover private property?
Yes. The text mentions public or private facilities and property, and the definition in Article 1 includes what belongs to individuals and private legal persons.
Must actual damage occur?
No. The article also punishes endangering the facility, disrupting it or obstructing services in it.
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.