Article 120 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 120 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل التاسع: الإفراج المؤقت
The article allows the investigator at any time, on his own or at the accused's request, to release him if his detention has no justification, there is no harm to the investigation, and he is not feared to flee, on condition that he undertakes to appear.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للمحقق الذي يتولى القضية، في أي وقت - سواء من تلقاء نفسه أو بناءً على طلب المتهم - أن يأمر بالإفراج عن المتهم إذا وجد أن توقيفه ليس له مسوغ، وأنه لا ضرر على التحقيق من إخلاء سبيله، ولا يُخشى هربه أو اختفاؤه، بشرط أن يتعهد المتهم بالحضور إذا طلب منه ذلك.
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 120 explained in plain English
This article appears in the chapter on temporary release, and specifies when the investigator may release a detained accused.
Who may release: the investigator in charge of the case.
When: at any time, whether on his own or at the request of the accused. The accused may therefore ask to be released.
Conditions: the investigator finds that:
- The accused's detention has no justification.
- And there is no harm to the investigation from releasing him.
- And he is not feared to flee or hide.
The corresponding obligation: it is required that the accused undertake to appear if asked.
Release here is discretionary for the investigator ("may order"), and rests on his assessment that these conditions are met.
This article is connected to Article 121, which provides that, except in cases where release is mandatory, the accused is not released until he designates a place the investigator approves. And to Article 119, which allows the investigator to bar the accused's contact with other prisoners or detainees and visits to him for a period not exceeding sixty days if the interest of the investigation requires it.
Anyone who wishes to request release for himself or for a detained relative would do best to consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases to prepare the request.
Practical example
Ziad was detained in Riyadh pending a case and submitted a request to the investigator for his release. If the investigator finds that his detention has no justification, that there is no harm to the investigation from releasing him, and that he is not feared to flee or hide, he may order his release on condition that Ziad undertakes to appear if asked.
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 120 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
Can the accused ask to be released during the investigation?
Yes. The investigator may order the release of the accused on his own or at the accused's request.
What are the conditions for temporary release of a detainee?
The investigator finds that the detention has no justification, that there is no harm to the investigation from releasing him, and that he is not feared to flee or hide, with the accused undertaking to appear if asked.
Must the accused give an undertaking on release?
Yes. It is required that the accused undertake to appear if asked.
More articles on Detention and Provisional Release
- Article 103
The article allows the investigator, in all cases, to decide that the person sought for investigation must appear, or to issue an order for his arrest if the circumstances of the investigation require it.
للمحقق في جميع القضايا أن يقرر - بحسب الأحوال - حضور الشخص المطلوب التحقيق معه، أو يصدر أمرًا بالقبض عليه إذا كانت ظروف التحقيق تستلزم ذلك.
- Article 104
The article specifies the particulars required in an order to appear, those added in an arrest and bringing-in order, and those further added in a detention order.
يجب أن يشمل كل أمر بالحضور اسم الشخص المطلوب رباعيًا، وجنسيته، ومهنته أو وظيفته، ومكان إقامته، وتاريخ الأمر، وساعة الحضور وتاريخه، واسم المحقق وتوقيعه، والختم ا
- Article 105
The article provides that an order to appear is served by a bailiff or a public authority officer, with a copy delivered to the person if found, and otherwise to a member of his family of full legal capacity who lives with him.
يبلغ الأمر بالحضور إلى الشخص المطلوب التحقيق معه بوساطة أحد المحضرين أو رجال السلطة العامة، وتسلم إليه صورة منه إن وجد، وإلا فتسلم إلى أحد أفراد أسرته الكامل ال
- Article 106
The article provides that the orders issued by the investigator are enforceable throughout the Kingdom.
تكون الأوامر التي يصدرها المحقق نافذة في جميع أنحاء المملكة.
- Article 107
The article allows the investigator to issue an order to arrest and bring in the accused if he does not appear after being formally summoned without an acceptable excuse, if he is feared to flee, or if the crime is in flagrante delicto, even where detention is not permitted.
إذا لم يحضر المتهم - بعد تكليفه بالحضور رسميًا - من غير عذر مقبول، أو إذا خيف هربه، أو كانت الجريمة في حال تلبس؛ جاز للمحقق أن يصدر أمرًا بالقبض عليه وإحضاره ول
- Article 108
The article requires an accused with no known place of residence to designate a place acceptable to the investigator, failing which the investigator may issue an order for his detention.
إذا لم يكن للمتهم مكان إقامة معروف فعليه أن يعين مكانًا يقبله المحقق، وإلا جاز للمحقق أن يصدر أمرًا بتوقيفه.
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.