Article 53 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 53 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
Article 53 bars a Saudi sentenced to imprisonment for crimes under the Law from traveling after his sentence ends for a period equal to his prison term, and provides for deporting a non-Saudi after serving the sentence and barring his return.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يمنع السعودي المحكوم عليه بالسجن في أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام من السفر إلى خارج المملكة -بعد انتهاء تنفيذ عقوبة السجن- مدة مماثلة لمدة عقوبة السجن المحكوم بها عليه.
2- يبعد غير السعودي المحكوم عليه بالسجن في أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام عن المملكة بعد تنفيذ العقوبة المحكوم عليه بها، ولا يسمح له بالعودة إليها.
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 53 explained in plain English
This article sets out consequences that follow the convicted person after the imprisonment sentence ends in any of the crimes under the Law, and distinguishes between a Saudi and a non-Saudi:
First: a Saudi. A Saudi sentenced to imprisonment in any of the crimes under the Law is barred from traveling outside the Kingdom after the imprisonment sentence ends, for a period equal to the prison term imposed on him. For example, someone sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment is barred from traveling for 7 years after his release.
Second: a non-Saudi. A non-Saudi sentenced to imprisonment in any of the crimes under the Law is deported from the Kingdom after serving the sentence, and is not allowed to return to it.
Important points:
- The provision depends on a prison sentence having been issued in one of the crimes under the Law.
- The travel ban for the Saudi begins after the imprisonment sentence has been served, and its length is tied to the prison term imposed.
- For a non-Saudi, deportation comes after serving the sentence, and the text bars his return to the Kingdom without specifying a period for this.
The article follows Article 52, which provides that the Law's discretionary penalties do not affect any more severe penalty based on Islamic Sharia or other laws, and precedes Article 54, which punishes anyone who knew of a plan for a terrorist crime and did not report it though able to.
A person who needs to understand the effect of this article on his position or that of a relative should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A citizen was sentenced to 4 years' imprisonment in a crime under the Law, and after finishing his sentence he wanted to travel abroad for work. Under this article, he is barred from traveling outside the Kingdom for 4 years after his imprisonment ends. If the convicted person were a non-Saudi resident, he would be deported from the Kingdom after serving the sentence and not allowed to return.
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 53 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
How long is the travel ban after a conviction in a terrorism case?
A Saudi sentenced to imprisonment in any of the crimes under the Law is barred from traveling after his imprisonment ends for a period equal to the prison term imposed on him.
What happens to a non-Saudi convicted of terrorism crimes?
He is deported from the Kingdom after serving the sentence imposed on him, and is not allowed to return to it.
When does the travel ban begin?
Under the text of the article, the travel ban begins after the imprisonment sentence has been served.
More articles on Detention and Travel Ban
- Article 2
Article 2 treats all crimes under the Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law as major crimes requiring detention.
تعد الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام من الجرائم الكبيرة الموجبة للتوقيف.
- Article 10
Article 10 allows the head of State Security to impose a travel ban on a suspect, with the order put to the Prosecution within 72 hours, and the Attorney General to ban an accused person, with notice to the person optionally withheld.
1- لرئيس أمن الدولة منع المشتبه به في ارتكاب أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام من السفر إلى خارج المملكة، على أن يتم عرض أمر المنع على النيابة العامة خلال م
- Article 12
Article 12 allows the Public Prosecution to release a person detained in a crime under the Law temporarily, unless it would harm the investigation or there is fear of flight or disappearance.
للنيابة العامة الإفراج المؤقت عن أي موقوف في إحدى الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام، ما لم يترتب على ذلك إضرار بمصلحة التحقيقات أو كان يخشى هربه أو اختفاؤه.
- Article 13
Article 13 allows the Head of State Security to temporarily release a person convicted of a crime under the Law while the sentence is being served, under rules and conditions set by the Regulations.
لرئيس أمن الدولة -وفق ضوابط وشروط تحددها اللائحة- الإفراج المؤقت عن المحكوم عليه في جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام أثناء تنفيذ العقوبة.
- Article 14
Article 14 gives the Head of State Security the power to set the rules, procedures and measures needed to ensure the security situation of persons released in crimes under the Law.
لرئيس أمن الدولة وضع ما يلزم من ضوابط وإجراءات وتدابير لضمان سلامة الوضع الأمني للمفرج عنهم في الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام.
- Article 19
Article 19 lets the Public Prosecution detain an accused for periods of up to 30 days each, not exceeding 12 months in total; anything longer is referred to the competent court.
تختص النيابة العامة بإصدار أمر توقيف أي متهم في جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام مدة أو مدداً متعاقبة لا يزيد أي منها على (ثلاثين) يوماً ولا تزيد في مجم
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.