Article 125 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 125 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل العاشر: انتهاء التحقيق والتصرف في الدعوى
The article provides that a closing decision does not prevent reopening the case and investigating it when new evidence appears that strengthens the accusation, and explains what new evidence means.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
القرار الصادر بحفظ الدعوى لا يمنع من إعادة فتح ملف القضية والتحقيق فيها مرة أخرى متى ظهرت أدلة جديدة من شأنها تقوية الاتهام ضد المدعى عليه. ويعد من الأدلة الجديدة شهادة الشهود والمحاضر والأوراق الأخرى التي لم يسبق عرضها على 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 125 explained in plain English
This article shows that a decision to close the case is not a final closure of the case; its file may be reopened and investigated again on one condition: that new evidence appears that strengthens the accusation against the defendant.
The article specifies what counts as new evidence:
- Testimony of witnesses.
- Reports.
- Other papers.
The common restriction in all of this is that it be something that has not previously been presented to the investigator; resubmitting the same evidence the investigator already considered is not enough to reopen the case, and it is also necessary that the new evidence be capable of strengthening the accusation.
This article is connected to Article 124, which regulates issuing the closing order when the evidence is insufficient or there is no ground to bring the case, and the resulting release of the detained accused and notice to the private claimant. Closing rests on the state of the evidence at the time it was issued, and the appearance of new evidence permits a return to the investigation.
Anyone who has new evidence in a closed case, or against whom a case was closed and then reopened, would do best to consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Practical example
An assault case in Makkah was closed for insufficient evidence. Months later a witness who had not been heard before came forward with testimony that strengthens the accusation, so the case file may be reopened and investigated again because the testimony had not previously been presented to the investigator.
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 contentA question about Article 125 of Criminal Procedure Law?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
Criminal 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
شركة امتداد النظام للمحاماة والاستشارات المهنية
- Labour & Employment Law
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Law
- Commercial & Corporate Law
Frequently asked questions about Article 125 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
Can a closed case be reopened?
Yes, whenever new evidence appears that strengthens the accusation against the defendant.
What counts as new evidence?
Testimony of witnesses, reports and other papers that have not previously been presented to the investigator.
Is submitting the same old evidence enough to reopen the case?
No. The text requires the evidence to be new, not previously presented to the investigator, and capable of strengthening the accusation.
More articles on Dismissing the Case and Criminal Jurisdiction
- Article 5
The article bars referring a case already brought before a court to another court or body, or anyone withdrawing it, before judgment, and treats the case as brought from the date it is registered at the court.
إذا رفعت قضية إلى محكمة فلا تجوز إحالتها إلى محكمة أو جهة أخرى ولا يحق لأحد سحبها منها قبل الحكم فيها، وتعد القضية مرفوعة من تاريخ قيدها في المحكمة.
- Article 63
If the investigator sees no basis to proceed with the case, he may recommend that the papers be archived, and the archiving order is issued by the head of the department to which he belongs.
للمحقق إذا رأى أن لا وجه للسير في الدعوى أن يوصي بحفظ الأوراق، ولرئيس الدائرة التي يتبعها المحقق الأمر بحفظها.
- Article 64
If an order archiving the case is issued, the investigator must notify the victim and the private claimant, and if one of them has died, all his heirs at the deceased's place of residence.
إذا صدر أمر بالحفظ وجب على المحقق إبلاغ المجني عليه والمدعي بالحق الخاص، وفي حال وفاة أحدهما يكون الإبلاغ لورثته جميعهم في مكان إقامة المتوفى.
- Article 65
The accused may use an agent or lawyer to attend the investigation; investigation is required in all major crimes, and for other crimes the investigator may investigate or bring the case directly to court.
للمتهم حق الاستعانة بوكيل أو محام لحضور التحقيق. ويجب على المحقق أن يقوم بالتحقيق في جميع الجرائم الكبيرة وفقًا لما هو منصوص عليه في هذا النظام. وله في غير هذه
- Article 91
The article requires a decision on how seized items are to be disposed of when an order is made to close the case, and also when judgment is given if their return is claimed before the court.
يجب - عند صدور أمر بحفظ الدعوى - أن يُفْصَل في كيفية التصرف في الأشياء المضبوطة، وكذلك الحال عند الحكم في الدعوى إذا حصلت المطالبة بردها أمام المحكمة.
- Article 93
The article allows the court within whose jurisdiction the place of the investigation falls to refer the parties to litigation before the competent court, with the seized items possibly placed under guard or other precautionary measures taken.
للمحكمة التي يقع في دائرتها مكان التحقيق أن تأمر بإحالة الخصوم للتقاضي أمام المحكمة المختصة إذا رأت موجبًا لذلك. وفي هذه الحال يجوز وضع الأشياء المضبوطة تحت الح
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.