Article 82 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 82 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثامن: أمر التوقيف
This article of the Regulations provides that the total of the periods of orders barring the accused's contact and visits may not exceed 60 days, and that his contact with his agent or lawyer is with the investigator's knowledge during them.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا تعددت الأوامر الصادرة من المحقق بعدم اتصال المتهم بغيره من المسجونين أو الموقوفين وبمنع الزيارة عنه، فلا يجوز أن يزيد مجموع مددها على (ستين) يوماً.
2 - إذا صدر أمر من المحقق بعدم اتصال المتهم بغيره من المسجونين أو الموقوفين وبمنع الزيارة عنه، فيكون اتصاله بوكيله أو محاميه بعلم المحقق.
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 82 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law sets two safeguards for the detained accused when the investigator orders him isolated from others and visits barred:
- A maximum on the total periods: If the investigator issues several orders barring the accused from contact with other prisoners or detainees and barring visits to him, the total of their periods may not exceed 60 days. What counts is the total, not the period of each order separately.
- Contact with the lawyer: If the investigator issues an order barring the accused from contact with others and barring visits to him, his contact with his agent or lawyer is with the investigator's knowledge. The bar order does not cut the accused off from his agent or lawyer, but this contact takes place with the investigator's knowledge.
The article does not specify the grounds for issuing bar orders, or the period of each order individually, or regulate what happens after the maximum expires; it is limited to these two provisions.
This article is linked to Article 81 of the Regulations, 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, and to Article 83, which makes it a condition for issuing a temporary release order that the evidence against the accused not be sufficient in a major crime.
If visits to you or a relative have been barred, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
The investigator issued an order barring visits to a detainee in Riyadh for 30 days, then another bar order. The total of the periods of the two orders may not exceed 60 days, and the detainee remains able to contact his lawyer with the investigator's knowledge.
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 82 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
What is the maximum period for barring visits to a detainee?
If the investigator's orders barring contact and visits are multiple, the total of their periods may not exceed 60 days.
Does a bar on visits stop the detainee from contacting his lawyer?
No, his contact with his agent or lawyer is with the investigator's knowledge.
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.