Article 85 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
المادة 85 من نظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله · الفصل العاشر: أحكام ختامية
The Article obliges the relevant bodies to look after the rights of victims of the crimes under the Law and assist them, and to protect witnesses, sources, judges, investigators and defense lawyers where there are serious grounds that threaten them.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على الجهات المعنية الآتي:
1- رعاية حقوق الضحايا، ومن في حكمهم في الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام، من خلال توفير المساعدة والدعم المناسبين للمطالبة بحقوقهم.
2- تقديم الحماية اللازمة للشهود والمصادر والقضاة والمدعين العامين والمحققين ومحامي الدفاع ومن في حكمهم في حال وجود أسباب جدية من شأنها أن تعرض حياتهم أو سلامتهم أو مصالحهم الأساسية أو أحد أفراد أسرهم للخطر أو الضرر.
وتحدد اللائحة الآلية المناسبة لذلك.
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 85 explained in plain English
This Article places two obligations on the relevant bodies:
1- Looking after the rights of victims
Looking after the rights of victims and those in their position in the crimes provided for in the Law, by providing appropriate assistance and support for claiming their rights.
2- Protection
Providing the necessary protection to:
- Witnesses.
- Sources.
- Judges.
- Public prosecutors.
- Investigators.
- Defense lawyers.
- And those in their position.
Condition for protection: the existence of serious grounds that would expose their lives, safety or essential interests, or those of a member of their families, to danger or harm. Protection is thus tied to the existence of these serious grounds.
Note that protection covers defense lawyers too, not only the prosecuting and judicial authorities, and extends to family members.
Details: the Implementing Regulations set the appropriate mechanism for this, and the Article does not mention specific forms of protection or assistance.
It is followed by Article 86, which allows the exchange of information between the competent authorities while fully maintaining its confidentiality.
A victim or witness who fears for his safety may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases to learn how to request protection.
Practical example
A witness in a terrorism case receives serious threats affecting his own safety and his family's after giving his testimony. The relevant bodies must provide the necessary protection to him and his family, in accordance with the mechanism set by the Regulations.
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 85 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law
Does a witness in terrorism cases receive protection?
Yes, if there are serious grounds that expose his life, safety or essential interests, or those of a member of his family, to danger or harm.
Does the support cover victims of terrorist crimes?
Yes. The relevant bodies must look after the rights of victims and those in their position by providing appropriate assistance and support for claiming their rights.
Does a defense lawyer receive protection?
Yes. The Article expressly names defense lawyers among those covered by protection where there are serious grounds.
How is protection carried out?
The Implementing Regulations set the appropriate mechanism for this.
More articles on Witness Protection and Rehabilitation of Detainees
- 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 27
Article 27 allows the court to hear witnesses and experts apart from the accused and his lawyer while informing them of the testimony without revealing identity, requires their protection, and lets the court's president allow filming of sessions.
1- للمحكمة المختصة -عند الاقتضاء- مناقشة الخبراء وسماع الشهود بمعزل عن المتهم ومحاميه ويبلغ المتهم أو محاميه بما تضمنته الشهادة وتقرير الخبرة دون الكشف عن هوية
- Article 86
The Article allows information disclosed by financial institutions, non-financial professions and non-profit organizations to be exchanged between the competent authorities, kept confidential and disclosed only as necessary for investigations and cases.
يجوز تبادل المعلومات التي تكشف عنها المؤسسات المالية والأعمال والمهن غير المالية المحددة والمنظمات غير الهادفة للربح بين الجهات المختصة في المملكة، مع الالتزام
- Article 87
The Article obliges everyone concerned with applying the Law to keep confidential the information they learn, and not to disclose without need the procedures of reporting, evidence-gathering, investigation and trial, or their data.
يلتزم كل من له شأن بتطبيق أحكام النظام، بسرية المعلومات التي اطلع عليها، وألا يكشف سريتها إلا لضرورة استخدامها في أغراض جهات الاختصاص، وألا يفصح لأي شخص عن أي م
- Article 88
The Article provides for establishing specialized centers to educate detainees and convicted persons for the crimes of the Law, correct their ideas and deepen their national belonging, with their operating rules set by decision of the President of State Security.
تنشأ مراكز متخصصة تكون مهماتها التوعية التربوية للموقوفين والمحكوم عليهم في الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام، وتصحيح أفكارهم وتعميق الانتماء الوطني لديهم، وتحدد
- Article 89
The Article provides for the Presidency of State Security to establish reform and rehabilitation houses to look after detainees and convicted persons for the crimes of the Law and facilitate their integration into society, with the rules for organizing them issued by its President.
تنشئ رئاسة أمن الدولة دوراً تسمى (دور الإصلاح والتأهيل) تكون مهماتها الاعتناء بالموقوفين والمحكوم عليهم في الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام، وتسهيل اندماجهم في ا
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.