Article 8 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 8 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل الثالث: الإجراءات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للنائب العام أن يصدر أمراً مُسبباً بالمراقبة والوصول إلى الأدلة والسجلات والرسائل -بما فيها الخطابات والمطبوعات والطرود وسائر وسائل الاتصال والمعلومات والمستندات المخزنة في الأنظمة الإلكترونية- ذات الصلة بأي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام، واعتراضها وضبطها وتسجيلها.
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 8 explained in plain English
This article gives the Attorney General a special power in terrorism and terrorism financing crimes: issuing a reasoned order for the following:
- Surveillance.
- Access to evidence, records and messages.
- Intercepting, seizing and recording them.
This includes letters, printed matter, parcels and all means of communication, and information and documents stored in electronic systems.
The article sets two clear limits:
- The order must be issued by the Attorney General.
- The order must be reasoned, that is, state the reason for its issue.
The materials monitored or intercepted must also be linked to any of the crimes provided for in the Law. The article does not set a period for surveillance or detailed procedures for it.
This article complements the one before it: Article 7 deals with entering and searching places, while this article deals with communications and information, and Article 9 then governs precautionary seizure of funds. Anyone who believes a measure of this kind has been taken against him or her would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
During an investigation into a terrorism financing crime, the investigating authority considers that electronic messages stored by one of the suspects are linked to the crime. They may be accessed and seized by a reasoned order issued by the Attorney General under this article.
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 8 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
May communications be monitored in terrorism cases?
Yes. The Attorney General may issue a reasoned order for surveillance, and for access to, interception, seizure and recording of messages and means of communication linked to crimes under the Law.
Does surveillance cover electronically stored data?
Yes. The article refers to information and documents stored in electronic systems.
Who may issue a surveillance order?
The Attorney General, by a reasoned order.
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 7
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.
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 الأموا
- 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.