Article 11 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
المادة 11 من نظام محاكمة الوزراء
The article requires the investigation committee's report to be put before the Council of Ministers within fifteen days and discussed in the accused's absence; if the Council decides on indictment, it forms the trial panel under Article 15.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحدد رئيس مجلس الوزراء جلسة لمجلس الوزراء لمناقشة تقرير اللجنة خلال خمسة عشر يوما من تاريخ رفع التقرير إليه، وتكون المناقشة في غيبة المتهم.
يتخذ مجلس الوزراء قراره في الموضوع، فإذا قرر الاتهام عمد إلى تشكيل هيئة المحاكمة المنصوص عنها في المادة (15) من هذا النظام.
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 11 explained in plain English
This article is the second stage after the investigation regulated by Article 10. After the investigation committee submits its report to the Prime Minister:
- The Prime Minister sets a session of the Council of Ministers to discuss the report within fifteen days from the date it is submitted to him.
- The discussion is held in the accused's absence.
- The Council takes its decision on the matter.
- If it decides on indictment, it forms the trial panel provided for in Article 15.
Article 15 provides that this panel consists of three ministers chosen by the Council of Ministers by lot and two Sharia members of at least the rank of president of a major court, none of whom may be related to the accused, and it is presided over by the oldest of the ministers.
After the decision to indict, Article 12 provides for notifying the accused with a copy of the decision referring him to trial. Article 11 does not state what follows if the Council does not decide on indictment.
This is a general explanation of the text and not an opinion on a particular case; anyone who needs an assessment of a specific situation should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal and administrative matters.
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 11 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
When does the Council of Ministers discuss the investigation report on a minister?
Within fifteen days from the date the report is submitted to the Prime Minister.
Does the accused minister attend the discussion of the report?
No. The text provides that the discussion is held in the accused's absence.
What happens if the Council of Ministers decides on indictment?
It forms the trial panel provided for in Article 15.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Investigating and Charging a Minister
- Article 10
The article requires the Prime Minister, when serious evidence arises, to form an investigation committee of two ministers and a Sharia member, which reports to him within thirty days of being assigned.
يقوم رئيس مجلس الوزراء بمجرد قيام دلائل جدية على اقتراف الوزير أو من في مرتبته إحدى الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، بتأليف لجنة تحقيق من وزيرين أو من في مر
- Article 12
The article requires the Prime Minister, on indictment, to order the accused to be notified with a copy of the decision referring him to trial, with notification made in accordance with Article 20.
في حالة الاتهام يأمر رئيس مجلس الوزراء بإبلاغ المتهم بصورة من قرار الإحالة إلى المحاكمة، ويجري تبليغ المتهم وفقا لما هو وارد في المادة (20) من هذا النظام.
- Article 13
The article allows the Council of Ministers, when referring the accused to trial, to order his detention until the first session, after which the trial panel may renew the detention if necessary.
لمجلس الوزراء عند إقراره إحالة المتهم إلى المحاكمة، أن يقرر حبسه احتياطيا لحين انعقاد أول جلسة من جلسات هيئة المحاكمة، ولهيئة المحاكمة بعد ذلك أن تجدد حبس المته
- Article 14
The article requires the accused to be suspended from work and his salaries stopped until his matter is decided, and provides that ending a minister's service does not prevent bringing or continuing the case.
يصدر رئيس مجلس الوزراء قرارا بكف يد المتهم عن العمل إلى أن يفصل في أمره، ويوقف صرف رواتبه منذ صدور القرار بكف اليد. ولا يحيل إنهاء خدمة الوزير دون إقامة الدعوى
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.