Article 43 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 43 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
Article 43 punishes with imprisonment of 5 to 20 years anyone who creates, uses or publishes a website or software to commit crimes under the Law, serve a terrorist entity, or publish how to make explosives.
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 (خمس) سنوات، كـل من أنشأ أو استخدم موقعاً على الشبكة المعلوماتية أو برنامجاً على أحد أجهزة الحاسب الآلي أو أي من الأجهزة الإلكترونية، أو نَشَر أيًّا منهما؛ لارتكاب أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام، أو لتسهيل الاتصال بأحد قيادات أو أفراد أي كيان إرهابي، أو لترويج أفكاره، أو لتمويله، أو لنشر كيفية تصنيع الأجهزة الحارقة أو المتفجرات أو أي أداة لاستخدامها في جريمة إرهابية.
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 43 explained in plain English
This article deals with terrorism through technology. It punishes with imprisonment for no less than 5 years and no more than 20 years anyone who:
- creates or uses a website on the information network, or a program on a computer or any electronic device,
- or publishes either of them.
This must be for one of the following purposes:
- Committing any of the crimes set out in the Law.
- Facilitating contact with a leader or member of any terrorist entity.
- Promoting the terrorist entity's ideas.
- Financing it.
- Publishing how to make incendiary devices, explosives or any tool for use in a terrorist crime.
The article covers whoever builds the website or program, whoever uses it and whoever publishes it, once one of these purposes is present. A terrorist entity, under Article 1, is any group of two or more persons, inside or outside the Kingdom, that aims to commit a crime under the Law.
The article follows Article 42, which punishes destroying or disrupting facilities and installations in carrying out a terrorist crime, and differs from Article 44, which punishes publishing false news or rumors with the intent to carry out a terrorist crime with imprisonment of one to 5 years.
A person facing an accusation under this article should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person created a channel on a messaging app where he posts instructions for making explosive devices and calls for financial support for a terrorist entity. If this is established, he is punished with imprisonment of 5 to 20 years, because the channel was used to publish how to make explosives and to finance a terrorist entity.
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 43 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is the penalty for creating a website to promote terrorism?
Imprisonment for no less than 5 years and no more than 20 years for anyone who creates, uses or publishes a website or program to promote the ideas of a terrorist entity.
Is publishing how to make explosives online a crime?
Yes. The article punishes creating, using or publishing a website or program to publish how to make incendiary devices, explosives or any tool for use in a terrorist crime.
Is the user of the website or program punished, not just its creator?
Yes. The article covers whoever created the website or program, whoever used it and whoever published it, when this is for one of the purposes it mentions.
More articles on Penalty for Supporting Terrorist Ideology
- Article 34
Article 34 punishes with imprisonment of 3 to 8 years anyone who supports terrorist thought, an entity or a crime, sympathizes with it, promotes it, or possesses materials intended for publication.
يُعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ثماني) سنوات ولا تقل عن (ثلاث) سنوات, كل من أيّد أي فكر إرهابي، أو دعا له، أو كيان إرهابي، أو جريمة إرهابية أو منهج مرتكبها، أو أ
- Article 44
Article 44 punishes with imprisonment of one to 5 years anyone who broadcasts or publishes by any means false or malicious news, statements or rumors or the like, with the intent to carry out a terrorist crime.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس) سنوات ولا تقل عن (سنة)، كل من أذاع أو نشر بأي وسيلة خبراً، أو بياناً، أو إشاعة كاذبة، أو مغرضة، أو نحو ذلك، بقصد تنفيذ جريمة
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.