Article 12 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Law Implementing Regulations

This article regulates detention periods in the crimes provided for in the Law of Combating Crimes of Terrorism and its Financing, all calculated from the date the accused is referred to the Public Prosecution:

1. Initial detention: if the interest of the investigation requires detention, the investigator issues an order for a period not exceeding 30 days.
2. Extension up to 180 days: if the investigator considers an extension is needed, he presents the papers before the period ends to the head of the Public Prosecution branch or his delegate from the heads of the departments within his jurisdiction, who issues an order extending it for successive periods, none of which exceeds 30 days, and whose total does not exceed 180 days.
3. Extension up to 12 months: in cases that require a longer period, the matter is submitted to the Attorney General or his delegate from his deputies, who issues his order extending it for successive periods, none of which exceeds 30 days, provided the total does not exceed twelve months.

The role of the detention administration: it writes to the Public Prosecution to coordinate with it sufficiently before the period specified in the detention order expires, and the detainee is not released except by an order issued by the Public Prosecution.

The practical meaning is that no extension exceeds 30 days, and that the level of the authority competent to extend rises as the period lengthens. The article does not address what happens after twelve months are reached. Because detention directly affects liberty, the family of a detainee should consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.