Article 81 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 81 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثامن: أمر التوقيف
This article of the Regulations requires the reason for arresting or detaining the accused to be set out in a report in which the accused signs that he was informed of the reason, and his refusal to be recorded if he refuses.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب إيراد سبب القبض على المتهم أو توقيفه في محضر، ويوقع المتهم على إعلامه بالسبب، فإن رفض التوقيع أُثبت ذلك في المحضر.
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 81 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law guarantees the accused's right to know the reason for his arrest or detention, and makes it documented in writing.
It contains three provisions:
- Recording the reason: The reason for arresting or detaining the accused must be set out in a report.
- The accused's signature: The accused signs that he was informed of the reason, that is, that it was communicated to him.
- Refusal to sign: If the accused refuses to sign, this is recorded in the report.
The signature here is an acknowledgment of knowing the reason, not an admission of the charge. A refusal to sign does not prevent the report from being completed; it is recorded in it. The article does not specify the body that draws up the report or when it is drawn up.
This article is linked to Article 79 of the Regulations, which requires reasons for the detention order among its details, and to Article 80, which regulates the detainee's grievance against his detention order, since knowing the reason helps the detainee submit his grievance. It is also linked to Article 82, which sets a limit on the total periods of orders barring communication and visits.
If you or a relative were arrested and not told the reason, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Rashed was arrested in Khobar, and the reason for the arrest was set out in a report and he was asked to sign that he was informed of the reason. Rashed refused to sign, so his refusal was recorded in the report.
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 81 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
Does the accused have the right to know the reason for his arrest?
Yes, the reason for arrest or detention must be set out in a report, and the accused signs that he was informed of the reason.
What happens if the accused refuses to sign the arrest reason report?
His refusal to sign is recorded in the report.
More articles on Criminal Seizure and Arresting the Accused
- Article 12
The article clarifies that the competent body referred to in Article 25 of the Law is the body to which the criminal investigation officer belongs.
الجهة المختصة المشار إليها في المادة (الخامسة والعشرين) من النظام هي الجهة التي يتبع لها رجل الضبط الجنائي.
- Article 13
The article explains that criminal investigation work under paragraph 2 of Article 26 of the Law is carried out by police directors as well as the individuals and persons assigned to assist them.
يقوم بأعمال الضبط الجنائي - وفقاً لما ورد في الفقرة (2) من المادة (السادسة والعشرين) من النظام - بالإضافة إلى مديري الشرط، الأفراد والأشخاص المكلفون بمعاونتهم.
- Article 14
The article allows the criminal investigation officer to seek the help of other public authority personnel whenever the matter requires it during the performance of his duties.
لرجل الضبط الجنائي - في سبيل قيامه بواجباته - أن يستعين بغيره من رجال السلطة العامة متى اقتضى الأمر ذلك.
- Article 15
The article requires criminal investigation officers to accept reports and complaints in all crimes, oral or written, from a known or unknown source, and regulates referral and the register of reports.
1- يقبل رجال الضبط الجنائي - كل بحسب اختصاصه - البلاغات والشكاوى في جميع الجرائم، سواء كانت مشافهة، أو كتابة، معلومة المصدر أو مجهولته. 2 - إذا قُدم البلاغ أو ا
- Article 16
The article sets the contents of the officer's record on going to the scene of the crime, requires him to show his identity, and regulates acting outside his jurisdiction, informing the Authority and continuing inquiries.
1 - يقوم رجـل الضبط الجنائي - عند الانتقال إلى مكان وقوع الجريمة بحسب المادة (السابعة والعشرين) من النظام - بتحرير محضر يشتمل على ما يأتي: أ) تاريخ اتخاذ الإجرا
- Article 18
The article prevents the criminal investigation officer from obstructing first aid to the injured at the scene of the crime on the pretext of drawing up the record under Article 32 of the Law.
لا يجوز لرجل الضبط الجنائي - من أجل تحرير المحضر وفقاً للمادة (الثانية والثلاثين) من النظام - أن يحول دون إسعاف المصابين في مكان وقوع الجريمة.
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.