Article 27 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
المادة 27 من نظام محاكمة الوزراء
The article gives His Majesty the King, in all cases, the right to issue a special pardon for those sentenced under the Law, or to reduce their penalty to the extent the pardon order states.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لجلالة الملك في جميع الأحوال إصدار الأمر بالعفو الخاص عن المحكومين وفقا لهذا النظام، أو تخفيف العقوبة عنهم إلى الحد الذي يقرره أمر العفو.
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 27 explained in plain English
This article establishes the right of pardon of His Majesty the King under the Law, in two forms:
- Special pardon for those sentenced in accordance with the Law.
- Reduction of the penalty to the extent the pardon order states.
The phrase “in all cases” means that, according to the wording of the text, this right is not limited by the type of offense or penalty or by any particular stage. The pardon is special, that is, it is issued for a specific convicted person. The extent of the reduction is set by the pardon order itself.
A pardon differs from the petition provided for in Article 26: the petition is submitted by the convicted person to His Majesty for nullity of the judgment on the basis of specific articles, and if the challenge is accepted a retrial is required; a pardon, by contrast, is not about the validity of the judgment but erases or reduces the penalty while the judgment remains.
The text does not state conditions or procedures for requesting a pardon. Anyone who needs to know his position in a particular case should consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
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 27 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
Can a convicted minister be pardoned?
Yes. His Majesty the King may, in all cases, issue a special pardon for those sentenced under the Law.
Can a minister's penalty be reduced instead of a full pardon?
Yes. His Majesty the King may reduce the penalty to the extent the pardon order states.
What is the difference between a pardon and a petition?
A petition under Article 26 is a challenge of nullity of the judgment that may lead to a retrial, whereas a pardon is the waiver or reduction of the penalty by royal order.
More articles on Judgments in Absentia, Appeal and Pardon
- Article 20
The article requires sessions to be held in the presence of the accused, postpones them by up to seven days if he is absent with notice to him, then allows trial in absentia, and gives him the right to a representative with legal experience.
تعقد هيئة المحاكمة جلساتها بحضور المتهم، فإذا تغيب المتهم عن الحضور تؤجل الجلسة إلى موعد آخر لا يتجاوز سبعة أيام من تاريخ التأجيل. وعلى المدعي العام إعلان المته
- Article 23
The article provides for a retrial of a person convicted in absentia within thirty days of his appearance or arrest, and treats the judgment as one given in his presence if he flees or refuses to attend.
في حالة صدور حكم غيابي بالإدانة، تعاد المحاكمة عند حضور المحكوم عليه أو ضبطه، وتعاد المحاكمة خلال ثلاثين يوما من تاريخ الحضور أو الضبط، فإذا فر المحكوم عليه أو
- Article 25
The article makes the trial panel's decisions final and enforceable from issuance and not open to objection, except as provided in Articles 8, 26 and 27.
باستثناء ما ورد في المواد: (8، 26 ،27) من هذا النظام، تكون قرارات هيئة المحاكمة نهائية من حين صدورها، ولا يجوز الاعتراض عليها وتكون نافذة.
- Article 26
The article allows the convicted person to petition His Majesty the King for nullity of the judgment on the basis of Articles 9, 19, 20 and 22, and a retrial is required if the King accepts the challenge.
للمحكوم عليه أن يتظلم إلى جلالة الملك استنادا إلى المواد: (9، 19، 20، 22) من هذا النظام، ببطلان الحكم الصادر. ولجلالة الملك قبول الطعن أو رده، فإذا قبل الطعن با
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.