Article 12 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
المادة 12 من نظام محاكمة الوزراء
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 12 explained in plain English
After the Council of Ministers decides on indictment under Article 11, this article ensures the accused's knowledge of what is attributed to him:
- The Prime Minister orders the accused to be notified with a copy of the decision referring him to trial.
- Notification is made in accordance with Article 20.
Article 20 provides that notice is given at the accused's last place of residence inside the Kingdom, and if no fixed place of residence is known for him, he may be notified at the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior. It also shows that the accused may bring an agent with experience in legal matters to defend him.
The importance of notification is that the referral decision identifies the facts for which the accused is tried, so he knows in advance what he is accused of and can prepare his defense. After referral, Article 13 allows the Council of Ministers to decide to detain the accused pending trial until the first session of the trial panel.
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 12 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
Is an accused minister notified of the decision referring him to trial?
Yes. The Prime Minister orders that he be notified with a copy of the referral decision.
Where is the accused notified if he has no known place of residence?
Under Article 20, to which this article refers, he may be notified at the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior if no fixed place of residence is known for him.
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 11
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.
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 قر
- 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.