Article 54 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 54 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 54 explained in plain English
This article imposes a duty to report on anyone who knows of a terrorist plan. It punishes with imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years anyone who:
- knew of a plan to carry out a terrorist crime or a terrorist financing crime,
- and did not report to the competent authorities,
- while able to report.
These conditions apply together, so the article does not punish someone who did not know of the plan, or who was not able to report. The article also speaks of knowing of a "plan to carry out" the crime, that is, before it occurs or while it is being prepared.
The article does not set a minimum penalty, only a maximum of 5 years, so the court sets the penalty within that limit.
The terrorist crime and the terrorist financing crime are defined in Article 1: the first is conduct carried out in execution of a criminal project with specific purposes such as disturbing public order and terrorizing people, and the second is providing funds to commit a terrorist crime or for the benefit of a terrorist entity or a terrorist.
The article follows Article 53, on the travel ban for the convicted person and deportation of a non-Saudi, and precedes Article 55, which punishes with the same penalty (imprisonment of up to 5 years) concealing any of the crimes under the Law or any of their perpetrators.
A person who needs to know his duties in a particular situation should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
An employee at a company in Riyadh learned that his colleague was collecting funds to transfer to a terrorist entity, and he could have reported to the competent authorities but did not. If his knowledge and his ability to report are established, he may be punished with imprisonment of up to 5 years.
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 54 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is the penalty for not reporting a terrorist crime?
Imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years for anyone who knew of a plan to carry out a terrorist or terrorist financing crime and did not report to the competent authorities though able to.
Is someone who could not report punished?
The article requires that the person be able to report, so punishment is tied to knowing of the plan, being able to report and not doing so.
Does the duty to report cover terrorist financing?
Yes. The article also covers knowing of a plan to carry out a terrorist financing crime.
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 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.
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.