Article 7 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Law Implementing Regulations

In implementation of Article (7) of the Law, this article regulates entering and searching places in crimes of terrorism and its financing:

1. Who issues the permission:

• Homes: the head of the Public Prosecution branch in the region or his delegate.
• Places other than homes: an investigator competent by place and type.

2. The form of the permission: the permission to enter and search homes, offices or buildings is in writing, and includes the name of its issuer, his signature, his post, the hour of issue and the date, and the identification of what is to be searched, and it must be reasoned.

3. Cases of necessity without permission (referred to in paragraph 3 of Article 7 of the Law):

• Being caught in the act of one of the crimes under the Law.
• If, based on field or technical investigations, it appears that there are wanted persons who are feared to flee if there is delay, or evidence linked to the crimes that is feared to be destroyed, disposed of or moved, or the loss of the funds of the crime, its proceeds and its means, or documents, property or others.

4. Subsequent oversight: in cases of necessity, the results of the search and its reasons are submitted to the Public Prosecution within a period not exceeding 24 hours from its end.

The practical meaning is that the rule is a written reasoned permission, and the exception is confined to the cases mentioned and subject to the Public Prosecution's oversight. A person whose home has been searched should consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.