Article 52 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 52 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تخل العقوبات التعزيرية الواردة في النظام؛ بأي عقوبة أشد تستند إلى أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية أو الأنظمة الأخرى.
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 52 explained in plain English
This article clarifies the nature of the penalties in the Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law and their relation to other penalties.
First: the penalties in the Law are discretionary (ta'zir). The article describes the penalties in the Law as ta'zir penalties.
Second: they do not prevent a more severe penalty. The article provides that these penalties do not affect any more severe penalty based on:
- the provisions of Islamic Sharia,
- or other laws.
This means that the existence of a specific penalty in this Law does not prevent applying a more severe penalty if it has a basis in Islamic Sharia or in another law. The article itself does not state what those more severe penalties are or how they are applied; that goes back to their sources.
This article follows Article 51, which punishes attempt at crimes under the Law, and participation in them, with the penalty prescribed for the crime, and precedes Article 53, which bars a Saudi sentenced to imprisonment from traveling after his imprisonment ends for a similar period, and provides for deporting a non-Saudi from the Kingdom after serving the sentence.
To learn the effect of this article on a particular case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 52 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
Are the penalties in the counter-terrorism law discretionary (ta'zir)?
Yes. Article 52 describes the penalties in the Law as ta'zir penalties.
Can a more severe penalty than the one in the counter-terrorism law be imposed?
The article provides that the Law's penalties do not affect any more severe penalty based on the provisions of Islamic Sharia or other laws.
Does the article specify the more severe penalties?
No. The article states only the principle and does not set out those penalties; it refers to the provisions of Islamic Sharia or other laws.
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 50
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.
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 المنص
- 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 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.