Article 162 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 162 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الباب الثامن: الأحكام الواجبة التنفيذ وإجراءات تنفيذها وضوابطه
When death, amputation, stoning, or retaliation sentences are carried out on more than one person, they are not brought to the place of execution all at once, and no one is executed in view of the others.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يراعى عند تنفيذ الأحكام الصادرة بالقتل، أو القطع، أو الرجم، أو القصاص في النفس أو فيما دونها في أكثر من شخص عدم إنزالهم إلى مكان التنفيذ دفعة واحدة، وألا يتم التنفيذ في أحدهم على مرأى من الباقين.
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 162 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law sets a rule for the case of several convicted persons at the same execution time.
Scope of the article: judgments for death, amputation, stoning, or retaliation (qisas) against a person or for lesser injuries, when they are to be carried out on more than one person. Note that flogging is not among the judgments mentioned.
What the article provides:
- They are not brought down all at once to the place of execution.
- No one is executed in view of the others.
The article uses the word "must be observed", meaning that those in charge of the execution must observe these two points when arranging its procedures.
This article is among other safeguards in Part Eight of the Regulations that relate to the dignity of the convicted person and proper execution. Article 160 requires the convicted person to be brought to the place of execution without violence or any psychological or physical harm. Article 161 requires, in retaliation judgments, that the right holder be notified in writing of the date and place of execution and that he or his representative be present. Article 163 provides that death sentences are carried out with the instrument stated in the judgment, or if it states nothing, with any instrument that achieves ihsan (a humane manner) in the killing, and that the person subject to a death or stoning sentence is not moved from the execution ground until his death is established by a report from the specialist doctor.
Anyone who needs clarification of the execution procedures in a particular case is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
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 162 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
How are sentences carried out if there is more than one convicted person?
They are not brought down to the place of execution all at once, and no one is executed in view of the others.
Which sentences does this article cover?
Sentences of death, amputation, stoning, or retaliation against a person or for lesser injuries.
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.

