Article 7 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 7 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الثالث: الإجراءات
Article 7 gives the Public Prosecution the power to authorize entering and searching homes, offices and buildings, and arrest and seizure, and allows acting without authorization in necessity with a record and notice to the Prosecution within 24 hours.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تختص النيابة العامة بإصدار إذن بدخول المساكن أو المكاتب أو المباني وتفتيشها في أي وقت خلال المدة المحددة في إذن التفتيش والقبض على الأشخاص وضبط وتحريز الأموال أو الممتلكات أو المستندات أو الأدلة أو المعلومات، وذلك في أي جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام.
2- في حال اتخاذ أي من الإجراءات المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة على المؤسسات المالية، والأعمال والمهن غير المالية المحددة، والمنظمات غير الهادفة إلى الربح، فيتم إبلاغ الجهة الرقابية بذلك.
3- لا يلزم -في حالة الضرورة- الحصول على إذن للقيام بأي من الإجراءات المشار إليها في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة، على أن يدوَّن محضر توضح فيه الأسباب ودواعي الاستعجال. وتبلغ النيابة العامة بهذا الإجراء وما نتج عنه خلال مدة لا تتجاوز (24) ساعة، وتوضح اللائحة ضوابط حالة الضرورة.
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 7 explained in plain English
This article governs entering and searching places in crimes under the Law, in three paragraphs:
- Authorization of the Public Prosecution: the Prosecution is responsible for issuing authorization to enter and search homes, offices or buildings at any time within the period specified in the authorization, to arrest persons, and to seize and secure funds, property, documents, evidence or information.
- Notifying the supervisory authority: if any of these measures is taken against a financial institution, designated non-financial businesses and professions, or a non-profit organization, the supervisory authority is notified.
- Necessity: no authorization is required in a case of necessity, provided that a record is drawn up stating the reasons and the grounds of urgency, and that the Public Prosecution is notified of the measure and its outcome within a period not exceeding 24 hours. The Implementing Regulations explain the controls for a case of necessity.
So the rule is authorization from the Prosecution, and the exception is a case of necessity, an exception limited by the record, the notification and the controls the Regulations set, which the article does not spell out.
The article comes after Article 6, which governs requests for records and information, and before Article 8, which allows the Attorney General to issue a reasoned order for surveillance and interception of communications. Anyone whose home or office has been searched would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
The Public Prosecution issued an authorization to search the office of a currency exchange company in Dammam within a specified period. The search may take place at any time within this period, and because the company is a financial institution, the supervisory authority is notified of the measure.
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 7 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
May a home be searched without authorization in terrorism cases?
The rule is authorization from the Public Prosecution. No authorization is required in a case of necessity, provided a record of the reasons and the urgency is drawn up and the Prosecution is notified within 24 hours; the Regulations explain the controls for a case of necessity.
Who issues the search authorization in terrorism crimes?
The Public Prosecution issues the authorization to enter and search homes, offices or buildings.
May searches take place at night?
The article allows entry and searching at any time within the period specified in the search authorization.
More articles on Arrest and Search in Terrorism Crimes
- Article 4
Article 4 gives the Presidency of State Security the tasks of criminal arrest and evidence gathering, financial investigation and tracing a suspect's funds and the proceeds and instrumentalities of crime under the Law.
تتولى رئاسة أمن الدولة مهام الضبط الجنائي والاستدلال بما في ذلك البحث والتحري والضبط والملاحقة الجنائية والإدارية وجمع الأدلة والقرائن والتحري المالي والعمليات
- Article 5
Article 5 gives the Public Prosecution the power to issue a summons or an arrest and bring order against a suspect, and bars keeping an arrested person detained more than 7 days without a written order.
تختص النيابة العامة بإصدار تكليف بالحضور أو أمر بالقبض والإحضار على من يشتبه في ارتكابه أيًّا من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام. وفي جميع الأحوال لا يجوز إبقاء
- Article 6
Article 6 lets the Public Prosecution, and the Presidency of State Security at the evidence-gathering stage, request records and information from any person or institution, and requires fast, accurate execution and confidentiality.
1- للنيابة العامة -من تلقاء نفسها أو بناءً على طلب رجل الضبط الـجنائي- أن تطلب من أي شخص أو من المؤسسات المالية، أو الأعمال والمهن غير المالية المحددة، أو المنظ
- Article 8
Article 8 allows the Attorney General to issue a reasoned order to monitor, access, intercept, seize and record evidence, records, messages, means of communication and electronic information linked to crimes under the Law.
للنائب العام أن يصدر أمراً مُسبباً بالمراقبة والوصول إلى الأدلة والسجلات والرسائل -بما فيها الخطابات والمطبوعات والطرود وسائر وسائل الاتصال والمعلومات والمستندا
- Article 15
Article 15 allows criminal investigation officers and military personnel assigned to combat crimes under the Law to use force to apprehend those crimes, under the rules set by law.
لرجال الضبط الجنائي أو العسكريين المكلفين بمكافحة الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام في سبيل ضبط أي من تلك الجرائم استعمال القوة وفقاً للضوابط المنصوص عليها نظاماً
- Article 17
Article 17 requires Customs, when terrorist financing is suspected, to seize currency, bearer instruments, gold, precious metals, gems and jewelry whatever their value, and refer them and their carrier immediately.
مع عدم الإخلال بالأحكام ذات الصلة بمصلحة الجمارك العامة الواردة في نظام مكافحة غسل الأموال؛ تقوم المصلحة -عند الاشتباه بوجود حالة تمويل الإرهاب- بحجز ما يشتبه ب
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.