Article 55 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 55 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الرابع: العقوبات
Article 55 punishes with imprisonment of up to 5 years anyone who conceals any of the crimes set out in the Law or any of their perpetrators.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس) سنوات كل من تستر على أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام أو أحد مرتكبيها.
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 55 explained in plain English
This article punishes concealment in terrorism and terrorist financing crimes with imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years. The text covers two forms:
- Concealing any of the crimes set out in the Law.
- Concealing any of their perpetrators.
The article does not set a minimum penalty, so the court sets it within 5 years. The text is also general and does not exempt anyone because of kinship or otherwise.
This article is linked to Article 54 before it, which punishes with the same penalty a person 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. The difference between them is that Article 54 concerns failing to report a plan for a crime, whereas Article 55 concerns concealing the crime or its perpetrator.
It is followed by Article 56, which allows the competent court to mitigate the penalty for someone who took the initiative to report to the competent authorities information that could not have been obtained by another route, so that the imprisonment penalty is no less than half its minimum. So the Law punishes concealment and at the same time encourages taking the initiative to report.
Because the line between concealment and other acts may need assessment, a person facing an accusation under this article is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person learned that one of his acquaintances had taken part in a terrorist crime and was wanted by the security authorities, so he hid his matter and denied knowing his whereabouts when asked. If it is established that he concealed the perpetrator of the crime, 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 55 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
What is the penalty for concealing a terrorist in Saudi Arabia?
Imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years for anyone who conceals any of the crimes under the Law or any of their perpetrators.
Are relatives exempt from the penalty for concealment?
The text of the article is general and mentions no exemption because of kinship.
What is the difference between concealment and failure to report?
Article 54 punishes someone who knew of a plan for a crime and did not report though able to, and Article 55 punishes someone who concealed the crime or its perpetrator; the penalty for each is imprisonment of up to 5 years.
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.