Article 64 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 64 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الرابع: التصرف في الأشياء المضبوطة
This article of the Regulations requires owners of seized items to be notified of their right to recover them under the notification rules, and allows, where that is not possible, an announcement in a widely circulated local newspaper or by any other means that achieves the purpose.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون إبلاغ أصحاب الأشياء المضبوطة بحقهم في استعادتها وفق الأحكام المنظمة للإبلاغ الواردة في النظام واللائحة. ويجوز - عند تعذر ذلك - أن يكون الإبلاغ بالإعلان في إحدى الصحف المحلية واسعة الانتشار، أو بأي وسيلة إبلاغ أخرى يتحقق بها الغرض.
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 64 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law deals with how the owners of seized items are notified that they have a right to recover them, so that people's belongings do not stay held without their knowledge.
The article sets a basic rule and an alternative where that is not possible:
- The rule: Notification is under the notification provisions in the Criminal Procedure Law and in the Regulations.
- Where that is not possible: Notification may be by an announcement in a widely circulated local newspaper, or by any other means of notification that achieves the purpose.
For the alternative, what counts is that the purpose is achieved, which is that the owner of the seized item comes to know. The article does not set a time limit for recovering seized items after notification, or state what follows if their owner does not come forward.
This article is linked to Article 63 of the Regulations, which deals with the competent court where there is a dispute over seized items or doubt as to who has the right to receive them, and to Article 65, which specifies the court in whose circuit the place of investigation lies as the competent court, and deals with referring litigants to the locally competent court if the court lacks local jurisdiction.
If you receive a notice or read an announcement about seized items that belong to you and have difficulty recovering them, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Goods belonging to a merchant in Jeddah were seized in a case, and he then could not be reached by the usual means of notification because he had changed his address. In this situation, his right to recover them may be announced in a widely circulated local newspaper or by any other means that achieves the purpose.
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 64 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
How is the owner of a seized item notified of his right to recover it?
Under the notification provisions in the Law and the Regulations.
What if the owner of seized items cannot be reached?
Notification may be by an announcement in a widely circulated local newspaper or by any other means of notification that achieves the purpose.
Does the article set a time limit for recovering seized items?
No, the article regulates only the method of notification and mentions no period for recovery.
More articles on Seized Items and Their Return
- Article 35
The article regulates sealing and guarding after a search, securing weapons, explosives, narcotics, cash and jewelry, handing over seized items, and the ban on disposing of them without the Bureau's permission.
1- على رجل الضبط الجنائي قبل مغادرة مكان التفتيش أن يضع الأختام على الأماكن التي فيها آثار أو أشياء تفيد في كشف الحقيقة ويتعذر تحريزها، أو أن يضعها تحت الحراسة.
- Article 36
The article makes breaking the seals on containers of seized items the investigator's task after checking the seal is intact, with a report, resealing, and inviting the accused, his agent or the person from whom the items were seized.
1- يكون فض أختام أحراز المضبوطات - استناداً إلى المادة (الحادية والخمسين) من النظام - بمعرفة المحقق. وعليه أن يتأكد من سلامة الختم قبل فضه، ويحرَّر محضرٌ بذلك،
- Article 55
The article sets what the investigator does on reaching the crime scene: inspecting, recording and hearing initial information, with the option of sealing places, and requires seizing and securing whatever relates to the crime.
1- يبدأ المحقق فور وصوله إلى مكان وقوع الجريمة بإجراء المعاينة اللازمة، وإلقاء نظرة فاحصة وشاملة على مكان وقوع الجريمة، ويثبت حالة الأشخاص، والأشياء، والآثار ال
- Article 60
The article requires the investigator to issue an order attaching items seized during the investigation if they are subject to confiscation.
إذا كانت الاشياء التي ضبطت أثناء التحقيق محلاً للمصادرة؛ فيصدر المحقق أمراً بحجزها.
- Article 61
This article of the Regulations requires the investigator to take what is necessary to destroy seized items whose possession is prohibited by sharia or law, or to demand confiscation of those subject to confiscation.
إذا كانت المضبوطات مما تُمنع حيازته شرعاً أو نظاماً، أو كانت محلاً للمصادرة؛ فعلى المحقق إجراء ما يلزم حيال إتلافها أو المطالبة بمصادرتها، وذلك بحسب الأحوال.
- Article 62
This article of the Regulations specifies who is competent to return seized items: the investigator before the case is filed with the court, and the head of the judicial circuit after it is filed.
يختص المحقق برد المضبوطات قبل رفع القضية إلى المحكمة، وبعد رفعها يكون ذلك من اختصاص رئيس الدائرة القضائية.
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.