Article 155 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 155 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الباب الثامن: الأحكام الواجبة التنفيذ وإجراءات تنفيذها وضوابطه
The administrative governor determines who carries out sentences of death, amputation, stoning, flogging, and retaliation; the executor must be of good character, knowledgeable, not prison staff, and not a relative or enemy.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يتولى الحاكم الإداري تحديد من يباشر تنفيذ الأحكام الصادرة بالقتل، أو القطع، أو الرجم، أو الجلد، أو القصاص في النفس أو فيما دونها.
2 - يشترط فيمن يباشر تنفيذ الأحكام المشار إليها في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة العدالة والمعرفة بكيفية تنفيذها، وألا يكون من منسوبي إدارة السجن، وألا يكون بينه وبين المنفذ فيه قرابة حتى الدرجة الرابعة، أو عداوة.
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 155 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law governs who carries out corporal sentences, meaning sentences of death, amputation, stoning, flogging, or retaliation (qisas) against a person or for lesser injuries.
First: who determines the person who carries out the sentence
The administrative governor determines the person who carries out these sentences. This is consistent with Article 154 of the Regulations, which makes the order to carry out criminal sentences issued by the administrative governor, except for sentences whose execution follows an order from the King or his delegate.
Second: the requirements for the executor
- Good character.
- Knowledge of how to carry out these sentences.
- Not a member of the prison administration.
- No kinship to the person subject to the sentence up to the fourth degree, and no hostility.
This arrangement is completed by Article 156 of the Regulations, which forms in each city and governorate a committee of delegates representing the administrative governor, the court, the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, and the police, to witness the carrying out of these sentences.
Anyone with an observation about the execution of a sentence concerning them or one of their relatives should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A flogging sentence was issued against a person in one of the governorates, and an official nominated an employee of the prison administration to carry it out. Under this article that is not permitted, because it requires that the executor not be a member of the prison administration, so the administrative governor designates another person who meets the requirements.
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 155 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
Who decides who carries out a retaliation (qisas) or flogging sentence?
The administrative governor determines who carries out sentences of death, amputation, stoning, flogging, or retaliation.
Can a relative of the convicted person carry out the sentence?
No. There must be no kinship between the executor and the person subject to the sentence up to the fourth degree, and no hostility.
Can a prison employee carry out the sentence?
No. One of the requirements for the executor is that he not be a member of the prison administration.
More articles on Executing Criminal Judgments
- Article 149
This article of the Regulations allows any party to request reconsideration of a final judgment imposing a penalty even after it is executed or the penalty lapses, and requires both judgments to be final for a contradiction to arise.
1- يحق لأيٍّ من الخصوم طلب إعادة النظر في الحكم النهائي الصادر بالعقوبة ولو بعد تنفيذه، أو سقـوط العقوبة بالعفو أو الصلح أو وفاة المحكوم عليه. 2 - يُشترط لتحقق
- Article 150
This article of the Regulations requires an order to stay execution of a judgment issued under Article 206 of the Law to be recorded in the case record and notified immediately to the execution authority by official letter.
إذا صدر أمر إيقاف تنفيذ الحكم - وفقا للمادة (السادسة بعد المائتين) من النظام - فيدون في ضبط الدعوى، ويبلغ فوراً إلى جهة التنفيذ بكتاب رسمي.
- Article 151
If part of a criminal judgment becomes final but another part does not, a certified copy is sent to the execution authority to execute only the final part.
إذا صدر الحكم في دعوى اشتملت على حقٍّ عامٍّ وحقٍّ خاصٍّ واكتسب الحكم الصفة القطعية في أحدهما دون الآخر، أو صدر الحكم في دعوى واكتسب صفة القطعية في بعضه دون بعض،
- Article 152
The article requires the court to notify the detention administration in writing of the substance of its judgment in the cases provided for in Article 213 of the Law, so the detained accused is released at once.
تُبلِّغ المحكمةُ كتابةً إدارةَ التوقيف بمضمون الحكم الذي أصدرته في الحالات المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثالثة عشرة بعد المائتين) من النظام للإفراج عن المتهم الموق
- Article 153
The article explains when a new prison sentence starts if the stay of an earlier sentence is cancelled, to whom the cancellation request is made, and that part of a discretionary prison sentence may be stayed.
1- إذا نُص في الحكم على وقف تنفيذ عقوبة السجن التعزيرية في الحق العام، وارتكب المحكوم عليه جريمة خلال المدة المشار إليها في الفقرة (2) من المادة (الرابعة عشرة ب
- Article 154
Orders to carry out criminal sentences are issued by the administrative governor, except for sentences whose execution requires an order from the King or his delegate.
فيما عدا الأحكام الجزائية التي يكون تنفيذها بعد صدور أمر من الملك أو ممن ينيبه، يصدر أمر تنفيذ الأحكام الجزائية من الحاكم الإداري.
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.