Article 28 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
المادة 28 من نظام المتفجرات والمفرقعات · الفصل الرابع: أحكام ختامية
The article grants anyone who reports a violation of the Explosives and Fireworks Law, where the report leads to catching it, a reward assessed by the Minister that does not exceed the fine set for the violation.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تمنح مكافأة – يقدرها الوزير – لا تزيد على مبلغ الغرامة المقررة للمخالفة، لكل من يبلغ عن أي مخالفة من المخالفات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، إذا ترتب على بلاغه ضبط المخالفة.
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 28 explained in plain English
This article encourages the public to help expose violations of the Law by providing a reward for the informant.
Who is entitled to it? Anyone who reports any violation of those stated in this Law.
The condition: that his report leads to the violation being caught. By the text, a report that does not lead to the violation being caught does not earn the reward.
The amount:
- It is assessed by the Minister, meaning the Minister of Interior under Article 1.
- It does not exceed the fine set for the violation. The fine set is the upper limit of the reward.
Examples of fines that fix the ceiling for the reward are the fine of up to SAR 100,000 in Article 21 for smuggling, making or trading in fireworks, and the fine of up to SAR 40,000 in Article 22 for violations by fireworks permit holders. The article does not specify how to report or the procedures for paying the reward.
This reward differs from the exemption in Article 26. The exemption concerns someone who took part in or was a party to the violation and then reported it, whereas the reward is given to anyone who reports a violation where the report leads to catching it. The article comes after Article 27, which exempts those who regularize their possession within 3 months of the Law taking effect.
Anyone who wants to report a violation and needs to know his rights may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
Abdullah notices that a shop in his neighborhood in Khobar is selling fireworks without a permit. He reports it to the competent authorities, and his report leads to the violation being caught. He is entitled to a reward assessed by the Minister of Interior, not exceeding the fine set for this violation.
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 28 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
Is there a reward for reporting the sale of fireworks?
Yes. A reward assessed by the Minister is given to anyone who reports a violation of the Law where the report leads to catching it.
How much is the informant's reward?
The Minister assesses it, and it does not exceed the fine set for the violation.
More articles on Exemption from Penalty and Reward for Informants
- Article 26
The article exempts from the penalties of Articles 15, 16, 17 and 21 anyone who reports to the authorities before the violation is carried out, or reports afterward and his report helps catch his accomplices, under rules set by the Implementing Regulations.
يعفى من العقوبات المنصوص عليها في المواد (الخامسة عشرة، والسادسة عشرة، والسابعة عشرة، والحادية والعشرين) من هذا النظام كل من: أ - بادر بإبلاغ السلطات قبل البدء
- Article 27
The article exempts from the Law's penalties anyone who unlawfully possessed explosives or fireworks if he applies for the required permit or hands them over to the Ministry within 3 months of the Law taking effect.
يعفى من العقوبات الواردة في هذا النظام، كل من حاز متفجرات أو مفرقعات على وجه مخالف لأحكام هذا النظام، إذا تقدم بطلب التصريح اللازم بها خلال ثلاثة أشهر من تاريخ
- Article 30
The article requires the Minister of Interior to issue the Implementing Regulations of the Explosives and Fireworks Law within 120 days, publish them in the Official Gazette, and apply them from the date the Law takes effect.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام خلال مائة وعشرين يوما، وتنشر في الجريدة الرسمية، ويعمل بها من تاريخ نفاذ هذا النظام.
- Article 31
The article provides that the Explosives and Fireworks Law is published in the Official Gazette and takes effect 120 days after its publication, and that anything that conflicts with it is repealed.
ينشر هذا النظام في الجريدة الرسمية، ويعمل به بعد مائة وعشرين يوما من تاريخ نشره، ويلغي كل ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
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.