Article 24 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
المادة 24 من نظام المتفجرات والمفرقعات · الفصل الثالث: العقوبات
The article punishes anyone proven to have knowingly taken part in committing any violation of the Explosives and Fireworks Law with the penalty set for the violator himself.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالعقوبة المقررة على المخالف، كل من ثبتت مشاركته في ارتكاب أي من مخالفات أحكام هذا النظام مع علمه بذلك.
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 24 explained in plain English
This article extends the reach of the penalty to the accomplice, so punishment is not limited to the person who committed the violation himself. It provides that anyone proven to have taken part in committing any violation of the Law's provisions knowing of it is punished with the penalty set for the violator.
This liability rests on two conditions:
- Participation in committing the violation is established.
- Knowledge: the accomplice must know of the violation he is taking part in. Someone who gives help without knowing it relates to a violation of this Law does not meet this condition.
The result is that the accomplice is not punished with a reduced penalty but with the same penalty set for the violator. For example, taking part in smuggling explosives with intent to trade is punished with the penalty in Article 16, and taking part in trading in fireworks is punished with the penalty in Article 21.
The article applies to any violation of the Law's provisions, whether among the crimes in Articles 15 to 17 or among the violations by permit holders and others.
Related to this is Article 26, which exempts from the penalties of certain articles anyone who reports before the violation is carried out, or reports afterward and his report helps in catching his accomplices. Anyone facing a charge of taking part in a violation of this Law needs to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person in Taif rents out his warehouse to another, knowing it will be used to store smuggled fireworks to trade in. If his participation is established along with his knowledge, he is punished with the same penalty set for the violator.
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 24 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
Is someone who helped smuggle fireworks punished?
Yes, if his participation in committing the violation is established and he knew of it. He is punished with the penalty set for the violator.
Is the accomplice's penalty lighter than the violator's?
No. The text makes the penalty of an accomplice who knew the same as the penalty set for the violator himself.
More articles on Penalties for Explosives Offenses
- Article 14
The article applies the Law's provisions to violators, subject to what the Unified Customs Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council states and its implementing regulations provide.
مع مراعاة ما يقضي به نظام "قانون" الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية، ولائحته التنفيذية؛ تطبق الأحكام الواردة في هذا النظام على مخالفي أحكامه.
- Article 15
The article punishes with up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 5 million, or either, anyone who commits explosives-related acts with intent to undermine the Kingdom's security, unless the circumstances call for a harsher penalty.
مالم تقتض ملابسات الجريمة عقوبة أشد، يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز عشرين سنة وبغرامة لا تزيد على خمسة ملايين ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين؛ كل من ثبت قيامه - بقصد
- Article 16
The article punishes with up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 2,500,000, or either, anyone who smuggles explosives into the Kingdom with intent to trade in them or who manufactures them.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز عشر سنوات، وبغرامة لا تزيد على مليونين وخمسمائة ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من هرب متفجرات إلى داخل المملكة بقصد الاتجار،
- Article 17
The article punishes with up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 1 million, or either, anyone who possesses explosives, transports them knowing they are explosives, or buys, sells or uses them.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز خمس سنوات، وبغرامة لا تزيد على مليون ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من حاز متفجرات، أو نقلها مع علمه أنها متفجرات، أو اشتراها، أو
- Article 25
The article provides for applying the Explosives and Fireworks Law's penalties and doubling them in case of repeat offense, unless another law provides a harsher penalty.
تطبق العقوبات الواردة في هذا النظام وتضاعف في حالة العود، ما لم ينص على عقوبة أشد في نظام آخر.
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.