Article 163 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 163 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الباب الثامن: الأحكام الواجبة التنفيذ وإجراءات تنفيذها وضوابطه
Death sentences are carried out with the instrument stated in the judgment or any instrument that achieves a humane manner, the person is not moved before death is medically established, and the competent authority prepares and buries the body.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يكون تنفيذ أحكام القتل بالأداة التي نص عليها الحكم؛ فإن لم ينص فيه على شيء فبأي أداة يتحقق بها الإحسان في القتل.
2 - لا يُنقل المنفذ فيه حكم القتل أو الرجم من ساحة التنفيذ؛ إلا بعد مفارقته الحياة وإثبات وفاته، بناء على تقرير من الطبيب المختص.
3 - تقوم الجهة المختصة بعد تنفيذ عقوبة القتل أو الرجم بتجهيز الميت ودفنه.
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 163 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law governs aspects of carrying out death sentences and what follows, in three paragraphs:
- Instrument of execution: death sentences are carried out with the instrument stated in the judgment. If the judgment states nothing, they are carried out with any instrument that achieves ihsan (a humane manner) in the killing.
- Establishing death before moving: the person subject to a death or stoning sentence is not moved from the execution ground until he has died and his death is established, based on a report from the specialist doctor.
- Preparation and burial: after a death or stoning sentence is carried out, the competent authority prepares the deceased and buries him.
The article does not name the authority competent for preparation and burial, and it does not address handing over the body to relatives, so no rule on that should be inferred from its text.
The doctor's role here is linked to Article 156 of the Regulations, which requires a specialist doctor and a member of the Authority to attend, in addition to the committee that witnesses the execution, when death, amputation, stoning, and retaliation sentences against a person or for lesser injuries are carried out. Article 162 also provides that, where there are several convicted persons, they are not brought down to the place of execution all at once and no one is executed in view of the others. Article 164 deals with the use of an anesthetic when carrying out amputation as a hadd penalty and retaliation for lesser injuries.
Anyone with a question about 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 163 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
What instrument is used to carry out a death sentence?
The instrument stated in the judgment; if it states nothing, any instrument that achieves ihsan (a humane manner) in the killing.
When can the person subject to a death sentence be moved from the execution ground?
Only after he has died and his death is established based on a report from the specialist doctor.
Who buries the person subject to a death or stoning sentence?
The competent authority prepares the deceased and buries him after the sentence is carried out.
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.