Article 13 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
المادة 13 من نظام محاكمة الوزراء
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 المتهم إذا اقتضت الضرورة.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article regulates the pretrial detention of the accused after he is referred to trial, and it divides the power between two bodies:
- The Council of Ministers: when approving the referral of the accused to trial, it may order his pretrial detention until the first session of the trial panel is held. This power is discretionary, not mandatory.
- The trial panel: it may afterwards renew the accused's detention if necessary.
Pretrial detention is not a penalty but a temporary measure pending the decision. The text does not set a maximum period for renewal and ties it to necessity.
This article comes after Article 12 on notifying the accused of the referral decision, and before Article 14, which requires the Prime Minister to issue a decision suspending the accused from work and stopping his salaries until his matter is decided. Pretrial detention is therefore discretionary, whereas the text words suspension from work in mandatory terms.
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 13 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
Can a minister be detained before his trial?
The Council of Ministers may, when approving his referral to trial, order his pretrial detention until the first session of the trial panel.
Who may renew the pretrial detention?
The trial panel, if necessity requires it.
Is pretrial detention mandatory?
No. The text says the Council of Ministers may order the detention, so it is discretionary.
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 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 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.