Article 50 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 50 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
Article 50 prescribes death where a crime under the Law results in the death of one or more persons, and sets the imprisonment term at no less than half its maximum in cases of weapons, non-profit organizations, repeat offending or exploiting minors.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يعاقب بالقتل كل من ارتكب أيًّا من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام نتج عنها وفاة شخص أو أكثر.
2- لا تقل عقوبة السجن المقرر لكل من ارتكب أيًّا من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام عن نصف الحد الأعلى لها؛ في أي من الحالات التالية:
أ- إذا اقترنت باستعمال أو إشهار أي من الأسلحة أو المتفجرات.
ب- إذا كانت من خلال أحد الأندية أو المنظمات غير الهادفة إلى الربح.
ج- إذا عاد الجاني إلى ارتكاب الجريمة.
د- استغلال القصَّر ومن في حكمهم لارتكاب الجريمة.
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 50 explained in plain English
This article sets out general rules for increasing the penalty that apply to all crimes under the Law. It contains two provisions:
First: the death penalty. Anyone who commits any of the crimes set out in the Law is punished by death if it results in the death of one or more persons.
Second: raising the minimum imprisonment. The imprisonment penalty prescribed for any crime under the Law may not be less than half its maximum in any of the following cases:
- If the crime is accompanied by the use or brandishing of any weapons or explosives.
- If it is committed through a club or a non-profit organization.
- If the offender returns to committing the crime.
- If minors and those in their position are exploited to commit the crime.
For example, if the maximum penalty for a crime is 20 years, the penalty in one of these cases may not be less than 10 years. Note that this provision concerns imprisonment, whereas Article 49 before it prescribes a fine for a legal person.
It is followed by Article 51, which punishes attempt at crimes under the Law, and participation in them, with the penalty prescribed for the crime.
Because this article can raise the penalty substantially, a person facing an accusation involving any of these cases should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person exploited a minor boy to carry messages and money between members of a terrorist entity. If the prescribed penalty for the act reaches a maximum of 20 years, exploiting the minor means the imprisonment penalty may not be less than 10 years under this article.
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 50 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
When is the penalty for a terrorist crime death?
The article provides that anyone who commits any of the crimes under the Law is punished by death if it results in the death of one or more persons.
What are the circumstances for increasing the penalty under the counter-terrorism law?
Using or brandishing weapons or explosives, committing the crime through clubs or non-profit organizations, the offender's repeat offending, and exploiting minors and those in their position.
How is the minimum calculated when the penalty is increased?
The imprisonment penalty may not be less than half the maximum prescribed for the crime in any of the cases mentioned.
More articles on Aggravating and Mitigating Penalties
- Article 11
Article 11 allows the Public Prosecution to suspend proceedings against a person who voluntarily reported a crime under the Law and cooperated with the competent authorities, without prejudice to the private claimant's right.
مع عدم الإخلال بحق المدعي بالحق الخاص، للنيابة العامة إيقاف إجراءات الدعوى بحق من بادر بالإبلاغ عن جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام -قبل ارتكابها أو بعد
- 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
- Article 51
Article 51 punishes attempt at crimes under the Law with the penalty prescribed for the act, and treats as an accomplice, with the same penalty, anyone who contributes by agreement, incitement or assistance, conceals evidence or helps a wanted person escape.
1- يُعاقب كل من شرع في القيام بارتكاب أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام بالعقوبة المقررة لذلك الفعل. 2- يعد شريكاً في أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام
- Article 52
Article 52 provides that the discretionary (ta'zir) penalties in the Law do not affect any more severe penalty based on the provisions of Islamic Sharia or other laws.
لا تخل العقوبات التعزيرية الواردة في النظام؛ بأي عقوبة أشد تستند إلى أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية أو الأنظمة الأخرى.
- Article 54
Article 54 punishes with imprisonment of up to 5 years anyone who knew of a plan to carry out a terrorist or terrorist financing crime and did not report it to the competent authorities though able to.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس) سنوات كل من علم بمشروع لتنفيذ جريمة إرهابية أو جريمة تمويل إرهاب ولم يبلغ السلطات المختصة مع تمكنه من الإبلاغ.
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.