Article 8 of the Saudi Counter-Terrorism Law Implementing Regulations
المادة 8 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام مكافحة جرائم الإرهاب وتمويله
The article regulates the consequences of suspending case proceedings under Article 11 of the Law: referring the papers to the arresting body, allowing the case to be reopened, and separating independent papers where there are several accused.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- في حال إيقاف إجراءات الدعوى وفقاً للأحكام الواردة في المادة (الحادية عشرة) من النظام، فللنيابة العامة إحالة الأوراق إلى جهة الضبط، ولها تحريك الدعوى مرة أخرى عند ظهور ما يستوجب ذلك.
2- إن كان في القضية ذاتها متهمون آخرون لا يشملهم وقف إجراءات الدعوى، فللنيابة العامة فرز أوراق مستقلة لمن أوقفت الإجراءات بحقه.
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 deals with what follows suspension of case proceedings under Article (11) of the Law. The available text does not set out the conditions of suspension in that article, but the Regulations state its effects:
- Referring the papers: the Public Prosecution may refer the case papers to the arresting body.
- Reopening the case: the Public Prosecution may reopen the case when something arises that requires it. That is, suspension does not mean the final end of the case.
- Several accused: if there are other accused in the same case who are not covered by the suspension, the Public Prosecution may separate independent papers for the person whose proceedings were suspended, so the case continues against the rest.
The practical meaning is that the case of a person whose proceedings were suspended may return if something arises that requires it, and the article does not specify what counts as a reason for that or any time limit for this possibility. All these powers are discretionary for the Public Prosecution, since the article uses the phrase "the Public Prosecution may".
A person whose proceedings, or those of a relative, have been suspended should consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases to understand his position.
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 Law Implementing Regulations
Is suspension of case proceedings in terrorism cases final?
No, the Public Prosecution may reopen the case when something arises that requires it.
What happens if there are other accused in the case?
The Public Prosecution may separate independent papers for the person whose proceedings were suspended, and the case remains pending against those not covered by the suspension.
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The article defines the security concerns referred to in Article 12 of the Law as two matters: fear of flight or disappearance, and harm to the interests of the investigations.
المحاذير الأمنية المشار إليها في المادة (الثانية عشرة) من النظام هي: 1- خشية الهرب أو الاختفاء. 2- الإضرار بمصلحة التحقيقات.
- Article 10
The article sets the controls on temporary release referred to in Article 13 of the Law: no security concerns, a recognized reason, and the released person's compliance with the measures in the release order.
ضوابط الإفراج المؤقت وشروطه، المشار إليها في المادة (الثالثة عشرة) من النظام هي: 1- ألا تكون هناك محاذير أمنية تترتب على الإفراج المؤقت. 2- أن يكون الإفراج المؤ
- Article 12
The article sets the detention period for an accused in the Law's crimes at thirty days, extendable to 180 days by order of the head of the Prosecution branch and then to twelve months by order of the Attorney General, with release only by Public Prosecution order.
1- إذا استوجبت مصلحة التحقيق توقيف المتهم بارتكابه جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام؛ فعلى المحقق إصدار أمر بتوقيفه مدة لا تزيد على ثلاثين يوماً من تاريخ
- Article 13
The article requires a no-contact order issued by the Public Prosecution under Article 20 of the Law to specify the categories covered by the ban.
يُحدد في أمر منع الاتصال الصادر من النيابة العامة وفقاً للمادة (العشرون) من النظام، الفئات المشمولة بالمنع.
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.