Article 83 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 83 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل التاسع: الإفراج المؤقت
This article of the Regulations makes it a condition for issuing a temporary release order under Article 120 of the Law that the evidence against the accused not be sufficient in a major crime.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يشترط لإصدار أمر الإفراج المؤقت عن المتهم - المنصوص عليه في المادة (العشرين بعد المائة) من النظام - ألا تكون الأدلة كافية ضده في جريمة كبيرة.
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 83 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law sets a condition for issuing the temporary release order for the accused provided for in Article 120 of the Law.
The condition is: the evidence against the accused must not be sufficient in a major crime.
To understand this condition it is necessary to know what "major crimes" means; Article 1 of the Regulations defines them as crimes that call for detention under Article 112 of the Law. If the evidence against the accused is sufficient in a crime of this kind, the condition for temporary release in this article is not met.
Note that the article states a condition for issuing the order, and does not make the existence of this condition in itself require release; nor does it state the other provisions on temporary release or who issues it, or explain the content of Articles 112 and 120 of the Law, which should be consulted in their text.
This article is linked to Article 84 of the Regulations, which requires an accused person temporarily released by the investigator's order to undertake to attend if asked, and to designate a place for receiving notices in the town of the court within whose territorial jurisdiction the investigation is conducted. It is also linked to Article 82 on the limit of the periods of bans on contact and visits.
Assessing the sufficiency of evidence and the type of crime varies from case to case, so the accused or his family should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Adel was detained in a case in Riyadh that counts as a major crime, and his family requested his temporary release. Under this article, a temporary release order is issued only if the evidence against him in this crime is not sufficient.
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 83 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
What is the condition for temporary release of the accused?
The article requires that the evidence against the accused not be sufficient in a major crime.
What are major crimes?
Article 1 of the Regulations defines them as crimes that call for detention under Article 112 of the Law.
Does insufficient evidence mean automatic release?
The article does not say so; it only sets a condition for issuing the temporary release order.
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.