Article 5 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 5 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الثالث: الإجراءات
Article 5 gives the Public Prosecution the power to issue a summons or an arrest and bring order against a suspect, and bars keeping an arrested person detained more than 7 days without a written order.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تختص النيابة العامة بإصدار تكليف بالحضور أو أمر بالقبض والإحضار على من يشتبه في ارتكابه أيًّا من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام.
وفي جميع الأحوال لا يجوز إبقاء المقبوض عليه موقوفاً لأكثر من (7) أيام إلاَّ بأمر كتابي، وذلك وفق ما تحدده اللائحة من إجراءات وضوابط في هذا الشأن.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article deals with the first step in dealing with a suspect, and contains two rules:
- The competent body: the Public Prosecution is responsible for issuing a summons or an order of arrest and bringing against anyone suspected of committing any crime under the Law.
- A time limit on keeping a person detained: in all cases, an arrested person may not be kept detained for more than 7 days except by written order, under the procedures and controls set by the Implementing Regulations.
The phrase "in all cases" means this limit applies whatever crime under the Law is suspected. The article does not bar detention continuing after 7 days, but it requires a written order for that, and leaves the details of the procedures to the Regulations without stating them.
This article completes the previous Article 4, which gives the tasks of arrest, evidence gathering and collecting evidence to the Presidency of State Security: while the Presidency handles evidence gathering, the summons and the arrest order are issued by the Public Prosecution.
Anyone who has been arrested, or whose relative has been, would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases to learn the procedures and controls that apply.
Practical example
A person in Jeddah is arrested on an order of arrest and bringing from the Public Prosecution on suspicion of a link to a terrorist crime. After 7 days, he may not be kept detained unless a written order to that effect is issued, under the procedures and controls the Regulations set.
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 5 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
Who issues the arrest order in terrorism crimes?
The Public Prosecution issues the summons or the order of arrest and bringing against anyone suspected of committing a crime under the Law.
How long can an arrested person be kept detained in terrorism cases?
He or she may not be kept detained for more than 7 days except by written order, under the procedures and controls the Implementing Regulations set.
Can an arrested person be kept beyond 7 days?
The article allows it only by written order, and refers its procedures and controls to the Regulations.
More articles on Arrest and Search in Terrorism Crimes
- Article 4
Article 4 gives the Presidency of State Security the tasks of criminal arrest and evidence gathering, financial investigation and tracing a suspect's funds and the proceeds and instrumentalities of crime under the Law.
تتولى رئاسة أمن الدولة مهام الضبط الجنائي والاستدلال بما في ذلك البحث والتحري والضبط والملاحقة الجنائية والإدارية وجمع الأدلة والقرائن والتحري المالي والعمليات
- Article 6
Article 6 lets the Public Prosecution, and the Presidency of State Security at the evidence-gathering stage, request records and information from any person or institution, and requires fast, accurate execution and confidentiality.
1- للنيابة العامة -من تلقاء نفسها أو بناءً على طلب رجل الضبط الـجنائي- أن تطلب من أي شخص أو من المؤسسات المالية، أو الأعمال والمهن غير المالية المحددة، أو المنظ
- Article 7
Article 7 gives the Public Prosecution the power to authorize entering and searching homes, offices and buildings, and arrest and seizure, and allows acting without authorization in necessity with a record and notice to the Prosecution within 24 hours.
1- تختص النيابة العامة بإصدار إذن بدخول المساكن أو المكاتب أو المباني وتفتيشها في أي وقت خلال المدة المحددة في إذن التفتيش والقبض على الأشخاص وضبط وتحريز الأموا
- Article 8
Article 8 allows the Attorney General to issue a reasoned order to monitor, access, intercept, seize and record evidence, records, messages, means of communication and electronic information linked to crimes under the Law.
للنائب العام أن يصدر أمراً مُسبباً بالمراقبة والوصول إلى الأدلة والسجلات والرسائل -بما فيها الخطابات والمطبوعات والطرود وسائر وسائل الاتصال والمعلومات والمستندا
- Article 15
Article 15 allows criminal investigation officers and military personnel assigned to combat crimes under the Law to use force to apprehend those crimes, under the rules set by law.
لرجال الضبط الجنائي أو العسكريين المكلفين بمكافحة الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام في سبيل ضبط أي من تلك الجرائم استعمال القوة وفقاً للضوابط المنصوص عليها نظاماً
- Article 17
Article 17 requires Customs, when terrorist financing is suspected, to seize currency, bearer instruments, gold, precious metals, gems and jewelry whatever their value, and refer them and their carrier immediately.
مع عدم الإخلال بالأحكام ذات الصلة بمصلحة الجمارك العامة الواردة في نظام مكافحة غسل الأموال؛ تقوم المصلحة -عند الاشتباه بوجود حالة تمويل الإرهاب- بحجز ما يشتبه ب
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.