Article 12 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law

This article identifies the body that handles the second stage of dealing with violations of the Law, after the seizure stage. It provides that the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution is responsible for two things:

• Investigating violations of the provisions of the Law, that is, gathering evidence, interrogating the accused and examining the facts.
• Prosecuting, that is, bringing the case against the violator before the competent judicial body.

The path of a violation becomes clear when this article is read with what comes before and after it:

1. Seizure: Article 11 provides that enforcement officers designated by a decision of the Ministry of Interior seize violations and draw up a report of them, subject to the Law of Criminal Procedure.
2. Investigation and prosecution: these are handled by the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution under this article.
3. Adjudication: Article 13 provides that the Board of Grievances is responsible for adjudicating all violations of the provisions of the Law and claims for compensation, and for ruling on confiscation.

The importance of this division is that someone accused of a violation knows where they will be investigated and who will bring the accusation against them. The article names the body as it appears in the text and does not set out the investigation procedures themselves.

Anyone summoned for investigation in a violation relating to explosives or fireworks can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.