Article 119 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 119 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الخامس: إجراءات الجلسة ونظامها
Whoever tries to intimidate or disturb witnesses while they give testimony is treated under Article 142 of the Law and Article 100 of the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يُعامل من صدرت منه أي محاولة ترمي إلى إرهاب الشهود أو التشويش عليهم عند تأدية الشهادة وفق ما جاء في المادة (الثانية والأربعين بعد المائة) من النظام والمادة (المائة) من اللائحة.
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 119 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations protects witnesses while they give their testimony, providing that whoever makes any attempt aimed at:
- Intimidating witnesses, that is, frightening or threatening them.
- Or disturbing them as they give testimony.
is treated as provided in Article 142 of the Criminal Procedure Law and Article 100 of the Regulations.
Article 100 of the Regulations requires the court to:
- Record what happens that disrupts the order of the session in a report or in the case record.
- Draw up the order to imprison whoever disrupts the order of the session, based on Article 142 of the Law, by official letter sent to the competent authority for execution.
In this way the Regulations bring an attempt to intimidate or disturb witnesses under the provisions on disrupting the order of the session. An attempt is enough to apply the article, even if it did not succeed in influencing the witness. The article does not set the length of imprisonment; that is found in Article 142 of the Law.
If you have a pending case and need advice on your specific situation, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
While a witness was giving his testimony in a case in Jeddah, a relative of the accused started directing threatening words at him from the public seats. The court recorded this in the case record and treated him under Article 142 of the Law and Article 100 of 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 119 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
What happens to someone who threatens a witness during the session?
He is treated under Article 142 of the Criminal Procedure Law and Article 100 of the Regulations on disrupting the order of the session.
Is someone who tried to influence a witness punished even if he did not succeed?
The article refers to "any attempt" aimed at intimidating or disturbing witnesses.
How is what happened documented?
Under Article 100 of the Regulations it is recorded in a report or in the case record, and an imprisonment order, if issued, is drawn up by official letter.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Criminal Trial Procedures
- Article 7
The article explains that the acts mentioned in Article 20 of the Law are those occurring outside the session, and sets referral to a larger number of judges when needed and hearing them in a separate record.
1- يُقصد بالأفعال المشار إليها في المادة (العشرين) من النظام؛ ما كان خارج الجلسة، وتطبق فيما كان داخلها أحكام الفصل (الثالث) من الباب (السادس) من النظام وأحكام
- Article 91
This article of the Regulations leaves it to the court hearing the case to assess whether judgment in a criminal case depends on the result of another criminal case, and requires it, if it stays the case, to inform the other court.
1- يُرجع في تقدير توقف الحكم في الدعوى الجزائية على نتيجة الفصل في دعوى جزائية أخرى؛ إلى المحكمة التي تنظر الدعوى الجزائية. 2 - إذا قررت المحكمة وقف دعوى منظورة
- Article 92
This article of the Regulations provides that if a court or circuit finds it lacks jurisdiction it refers the case by decision to the competent one, and if the second also finds it lacks jurisdiction the matter goes to the Supreme Court to designate the competent one.
إذا رأت محكمة أو دائرة عدم اختصاصها في دعوى مرفوعة إليها وأنها من اختصاص محكمة أو دائرة أخرى، فتصدر قراراً بذلك، وتحيلها إلى المحكمة أو الدائرة الأخرى ، فإن رأت
- Article 93
This article of the Regulations requires that if a case is brought before two courts or circuits and each decides it has jurisdiction, they stop hearing it and send the papers to the Supreme Court to designate the competent one.
إذا رفعت دعوى إلى محكمتين أو دائرتين وقررت كل منهما اختصاصها؛ فتصدر كل منهما قراراً بذلك، ويجب عليهما إيقاف نظر الدعوى ورفع الأوراق إلى المحكمة العليا عن طريق ا
- Article 94
The article leaves it to the competent judicial circuit to assess the necessity that allows shortening the time to appear, and the length of the extension the accused requests to prepare a defense.
يعود إلى الدائرة القضائية المختصة بنظر الدعوى تقدير الضرورة التي تجيز إنقاص موعد الحضور في الدعوى الجزائية وتقدير مدة المهلة التي يطلب المتهم منحه إياها لإعداد
- Article 95
If the accused's place of residence cannot be found after adequate searching, the bailiff draws up a detailed report, and the bailiffs' department hands a copy of the notice to the emirate, governorate or center responsible for the place of notification.
إذا تعذرت معرفة مكان إقامة المتهم بعد البحث الكافي عنه وبعد الاستعانة بالجهات الأخرى ذات العلاقة - لتبليغه بالحضور أمام المحكمة وفق ما قضت به المادة (السابعة وا
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.

