Article 80 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 80 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثامن: أمر التوقيف
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 عشرة بعد المائة) من النظام، وتسهيل وصوله إلى الجهة المختصة.
3 - يقدم التظلم إلى رئيس دائرة التحقيق إذا كان أمر التوقيف صادراً من المحقق، ويقدم إلى رئيس الفرع إذا كان تمديد التوقيف صادراً من رئيس الدائرة، ويقدم إلى رئيس الهيئة إذا كان التمديد صادراً من رئيس الفرع.
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 80 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law deals with an important right of a person held in pretrial detention, which is a grievance against his detention order, and has three paragraphs:
- Keeping a copy of the order: The investigator must keep a copy of the detention order in the case file.
- Enabling the detainee to file a grievance: The detention facility must enable the person held in pretrial detention to submit a grievance against his detention order under Article 115 of the Law, and facilitate his access to the competent body.
- The body to which the grievance is submitted:
- To the head of the investigation department if the detention order was issued by the investigator.
- To the head of the branch if the extension of detention was issued by the head of the department.
- To the head of the Bureau if the extension was issued by the head of the branch.
The rule is thus that the grievance is submitted to a body higher than the one that issued the order or extension. The article does not set a time limit for submitting the grievance or for deciding it, and does not explain the content of Article 115 of the Law. The Bureau, according to Article 1 of the Regulations, means the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution.
This article is linked to Article 79 of the Regulations, which specifies the details of the detention order, including giving reasons and specifying its period, and to Article 81, which requires the reason for arrest or detention to be set out in a report in which the accused signs that he was informed of the reason.
If you wish to file a grievance against your detention or that of a relative, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
The investigator issued an order detaining Badr, then the head of the department extended his detention. If Badr wants to file a grievance against the extension, he submits it to the head of the branch, and the detention facility must enable him to do so and facilitate his grievance reaching the body.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 80 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
To whom do I submit a grievance against a detention order?
To the head of the investigation department if the order was issued by the investigator, to the head of the branch if the extension was issued by the head of the department, and to the head of the Bureau if the extension was issued by the head of the branch.
Does a detainee have the right to file a grievance while in detention?
Yes, the detention facility must enable the person held in pretrial detention to submit a grievance and facilitate his access to the competent body.
Where is a copy of the detention order kept?
The investigator must keep a copy of it in the case file.
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 78
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.
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
- 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
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.