Article 2 of the Saudi Law on Penalties for Impersonating a Public Authority Officer
المادة 2 من نظام عقوبات انتحال صفة رجل السلطة العامة
The article punishes impersonating a public authority officer with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to fifty thousand riyals or both, increased to ten years or SAR 150,000 in specified cases.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
كل من انتحل صفة رجل السلطة العامة يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز ثلاث سنوات، أو بغرامة لا تزيد على خمسين ألف ريال أو بهما معا. فإذا كان ارتكاب الجريمة مصحوبا بالإرهاب أو الاستغلال، أو كان من انتحلت صفته من رجال المباحث أو الاستخبارات أو أحد العسكريين أو من في حكمهم فيعاقب الفاعل بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز عشر سنوات، أو بغرامة لا تزيد على مائة وخمسين ألف ريال (150.000) أو بهما معا.
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 2 explained in plain English
This article is the core of the Law, setting the penalty for anyone who impersonates a public authority officer, who under Article 1 is anyone whom the Law empowers to carry out orders and instructions and catch violations within the scope of his jurisdiction.
The article sets two levels of penalty:
- The basic penalty: imprisonment for not more than three years, or a fine of not more than fifty thousand riyals, or both.
- The increased penalty: imprisonment for not more than ten years, or a fine of not more than SAR 150,000, or both.
The increased penalty applies in one of the following cases:
- The commission of the offense is accompanied by terrorism.
- It is accompanied by exploitation.
- The person impersonated is a member of the investigations or intelligence services, or one of the military or the equivalent.
The text sets only a maximum for the penalty and no minimum, and it is left to the judicial authority to assess the penalty within this limit, and to choose between imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Article 3 provides that the public prosecutor brings the accusation for these offenses before the Board of Grievances for adjudication.
Anyone facing an accusation of this kind or who has fallen victim to it would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person contacted a merchant in Dammam claiming to be from the investigations service, and demanded an amount from him to "close a file" against him. Here the person impersonated a member of the investigations service, which is one of the cases of increase, so the penalty he could face is imprisonment for not more than ten years or a fine of not more than SAR 150,000 or both, instead of the basic penalty.
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 2 of the Saudi Law on Penalties for Impersonating a Public Authority Officer
What is the penalty for impersonating a public authority officer in Saudi Arabia?
Imprisonment for not more than three years, or a fine of not more than fifty thousand riyals, or both.
When is the penalty for impersonation increased?
If the offense is accompanied by terrorism or exploitation, or the person impersonated is a member of the investigations or intelligence services, or one of the military or the equivalent.
What is the increased penalty for impersonating a military member?
Imprisonment for not more than ten years, or a fine of not more than SAR 150,000, or both.
Who tries a person who impersonates a public authority officer?
Under Article 3, the public prosecutor brings the accusation before the Board of Grievances for adjudication.
Articles this article refers to
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.