Article 59 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 59 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الخامس: ضبط الرسائل ومراقبة المحادثات
The article requires the content of seized letters and postal and telegraphic messages to be communicated to the accused or addressee, or a copy given to him, as soon as possible, unless that would harm the investigation.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يُبَلَّغ مضمون الخطابات والرسائل البريدية والبرقية المضبوطة إلى المتهم أو الشخص المرسلة إليه، أو تعطى له صورة منها في أقرب وقت، إلا إذا كان في ذلك إضرار بسير التحقيق.
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 59 explained in plain English
This article gives the accused or the addressee of the message the right to know the content of what was seized of his correspondence.
What does the rule cover? Letters and postal and telegraphic messages that are seized.
For whom?
- The accused, or
- The person to whom they were sent.
How? In one of two ways:
- Informing him of their content, or
- Giving him a copy of them.
When? As soon as possible.
The exception: this is not required if it would harm the progress of the investigation. The article does not specify who assesses this harm or how long the withholding may last.
This article is linked to Article 58, which makes it for the investigator alone to view the seized letters, messages, papers and items, and allows him to order them or copies of them added to the case file or returned to the person who possessed them or to whom they were sent. It is also linked to Article 60, which gives the person entitled to the seized items the right to ask the competent investigator to hand them over to him, and to file a grievance, if refused, with the head of the department to which the investigator belongs.
If your messages were seized and you were not informed of their content, you may consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases to learn what can be done in your situation.
Practical example
A postal parcel containing letters addressed to Nasser in Tabuk was seized as part of an ongoing investigation. Under this article, Nasser is informed of the content of these letters or given a copy of them as soon as possible, unless letting him see them would harm the progress of the investigation.
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 59 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 59 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
Do I have the right to know the content of my seized messages?
Yes. The content of the seized letters and postal and telegraphic messages is communicated to the accused or the person to whom they were sent, or a copy is given to him, as soon as possible.
When may the accused not be shown the seized messages?
If informing him of their content or giving him a copy would harm the progress of the investigation.
More articles on Search and Seizure
- Article 41
The article establishes the inviolability of persons, their homes, offices and vehicles, and clarifies that a person's inviolability covers his body, clothing, property and belongings, and that a home includes any enclosed or fenced place or one prepared as shelter.
للأشخاص ومساكنهم ومكاتبهم ومراكبهم حرمة تجب صيانتها. وحرمة الشخص تحمي جسده وملابسه وماله وما معه من أمتعة. وتشمل حرمة المسكن كل مكان مسوّر أو محاط بأي حاجز، أو
- Article 42
The article bars entering or searching homes except in cases provided by law and under a reasoned order from the Investigation and Public Prosecution, accepts a reasoned permit from the investigator for other places, and sets specific cases of necessity.
لا يجوز لرجل الضبط الجنائي الدخول إلى أي مكان مسكون أو تفتيشه إلا في الأحوال المنصوص عليها نظامًا، وبأمر مسبب من هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام، وما عدا المساكن في
- Article 43
The article allows the judicial police officer to search the accused in cases in which he may lawfully be arrested, covering his body, clothing and belongings, and requires a woman to be searched by a woman whom the officer assigns.
يجوز لرجل الضبط الجنائي - في الأحوال التي يجوز فيها نظامًا القبض على المتهم - أن يفتشه. ويشمل التفتيش جسده وملابسه وأمتعته. وإذا كان المتهم امرأة وجب أن يكون ال
- Article 44
The article allows the judicial police officer, in a flagrant crime, to search the accused's home and seize what helps reveal the truth, if strong indications show that such items are in the home.
يجوز لرجل الضبط الجنائي في حال التلبس بالجريمة أن يفتش مسكن المتهم ويضبط ما فيه من الموجودات التي تفيد في كشف الحقيقة؛ إذا اتضح من أمارات قوية أنها موجودة في ال
- Article 45
The article allows the judicial police officer to search the accused or any person in his home during the search, if indications arise that he is hiding something that helps reveal the truth.
إذا قامت أثناء تفتيش مسكن متهم قرائن ضده، أو ضد أي شخص موجود فيه - على أنه يخفي معه شيئًا يفيد في كشف الحقيقة - جاز لرجل الضبط الجنائي أن يفتشه.
- Article 46
The article limits a search to looking for things relating to the crime under investigation, and requires the judicial police officer to seize what appears incidentally that it is a crime to possess or that helps in another crime, and record it.
لا يجوز التفتيش إلا للبحث عن الأشياء الخاصة بالجريمة الجاري جمع المعلومات عنها، أو التحقيق في شأنها. ومع ذلك، إذا ظهر عرضًا أثناء التفتيش وجود أشياء تعد حيازتها
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.