Article 78 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 78 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل السابع: التكليف بالحضور وأمر القبض والإحضار
This article of the Regulations requires the investigator, as soon as he learns of the accused's objection to transfer or that his health does not permit it, to order release, continued detention, delegation or transfer.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على المحقق فور تبلغه باعتراض المتهم على نقله - استناداً إلى المادة (الحادية عشرة بعد المائة) من النظام - أو بأن حالته الصحية لا تسمح بالنقل؛ أن يُصدر أمره فوراً بإخلاء سبيله أو استمرار توقيفه إلى حين انتقاله ليستجوبه في مكان القبض عليه، وله أن يندب المحققَ المختص للقيام بـهذا الإجراء بعد موافقة رئيس الهيئة، أو رئيس فرع الهيئة في المنطقة - بحسب الأحوال - أو أن يأمر بنقله رغم اعتراضه.
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 78 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law regulates what happens when the accused objects to being transferred, based on Article 111 of the Law, or when his health does not permit transfer.
The investigator must, as soon as he is notified of this, immediately issue his order for one of two things:
- Releasing the accused.
- Or continuing his detention until the investigator travels to interrogate him at the place of his arrest.
The investigator may also:
- Delegate the competent investigator to carry out this procedure, after the approval of the head of the Bureau or the head of the Bureau's branch in the region, as the case may be.
- Or order his transfer despite his objection.
The article therefore does not make the accused's objection binding on the investigator, but requires him to act at once and not leave the accused without a decision. The article does not state the criteria by which the investigator chooses between these options. The Bureau, according to Article 1 of the Regulations, means the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution.
This article is linked to Article 77 of the Regulations on placing the arrested person in the place of detention if he cannot be interrogated immediately, and to Article 79, which specifies the details of the detention order. The article does not explain the content of Article 111 of the Law.
If a relative of yours was arrested in one city and is to be moved to another, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Yousef was arrested in Tabuk in connection with a case being investigated in Riyadh, and he objected to being transferred. As soon as he is notified of the objection, the investigator must issue an order releasing him or continuing his detention until he travels to interrogate him in Tabuk, or delegate the competent investigator after the required approval, or order his transfer despite his objection.
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 78 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
Does the accused have the right to object to being transferred?
The article deals with the case of the accused objecting to his transfer, based on Article 111 of the Law, and requires the investigator, as soon as he is notified of the objection, to issue his order.
Does the objection bind the investigator not to transfer?
No, the investigator may order his transfer despite his objection, or release him, or continue his detention until he travels to interrogate him at the place of arrest, or delegate the competent investigator after approval.
What if the accused's health does not permit transfer?
The same provisions apply, and the investigator immediately issues his order for one of the options in the article.
More articles on Detention and Temporary Release
- Article 24
The article sets the grounds for detention during investigation, requires the detention department to notify the issuing body before the period ends and release at once if no extension comes, and governs detaining women and juveniles.
1 - أسباب التوقيف أثناء التحقيق هي: أ) إذا كانت الجريمة من الجرائم الكبيرة. ب) إذا استوجبت مصلحة التحقيق توقيف المتهم. ج) إذا لم يعين المتهم مكاناً يوافق عليه ا
- Article 75
This article of the Regulations requires the person required for investigation to be notified of the summons at least 24 hours before the investigation unless urgency requires otherwise, with the recipient's signature taken or his refusal noted.
يجب أن يبلغ الشخص الذي يُطلب التحقيق معه - وفق ما نصت عليه المادة (الخامسة بعد المائة) من النظام - بأمر الحضور قبل (أربع وعشرين) ساعة على الأقل من موعد التحقيق،
- Article 76
This article of the Regulations provides that issuing an order of arrest and bringing under Article 107 of the Law does not necessarily mean the accused is detained.
لا يلزم من صدور الأمر بالقبض والإحضار - وفقاً للمادة (السابعة بعد المائة) من النظام - توقيف المتهم.
- Article 77
This article of the Regulations requires the investigator to issue an order placing an arrested person in the place of detention if he cannot be interrogated at once, recording the reason, and allows another investigator to be assigned if the reason lies with the investigator.
1- إذا قرر المحقق إيداع المتهم المقبوض عليه مكان التوقيف لتعذر استجوابه فور القبض عليه بحسب ما نصت عليه المادة (التاسعة بعد المائة) من النظام؛ فيُصدِر أمراً بذل
- Article 79
This article of the Regulations specifies the details a detention order must contain, including the accused's name, the type of crime, the reasons for the order and the period of detention.
يجب أن يشتمل أمر التوقيف - الصادر استناداً إلى المادة (الثالثة عشرة بعد المائة) من النظام - على الآتي: أ) اسم الشخص المطلوب توقيفه كاملاً، وجنسيته، ومهنته، ومحل
- Article 80
This article of the Regulations requires a copy of the detention order to be kept in the case file and the detainee to be enabled to file a grievance, and specifies the body to which the grievance is submitted according to who issued the order or extension.
1- على المحقق أن يحفظ نسخة من أمر التوقيف في ملف القضية. 2 - على جهة التوقيف تمكين الموقوف احتياطياً من تقديم التظلم على أمر توقيفه استناداً إلى المادة (الخامسة
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.