Article 16 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
المادة 16 من نظام المعادن الثمينة والأحجار الكريمة
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to two months and a fine of up to SAR 30,000, or either, anyone who prevents, or causes the prevention of, the competent employees overseeing the Law from carrying out their duties.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز شهرين وبغرامة لا تتجاوز ثلاثين ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من منع أو تسبب في منع الموظفين المختصين بمراقبة تنفيذ هذا النظام ولوائحه من مباشرة واجباتهم.
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 16 explained in plain English
This article protects the work of oversight; the inspection powers are worth nothing if inspectors can be prevented from exercising them.
- The punishable act: preventing the competent employees overseeing implementation of the Law and its regulations from carrying out their duties, or causing their prevention. The prevention need not be direct; causing it is enough.
- The penalty: imprisonment for not more than two months and a fine of not more than SAR 30,000, or either of these penalties.
This article comes within the series of penalties in the Law. Before it is Article 15, which punishes with imprisonment for not more than six months and a fine of not more than SAR 90,000, or either, anyone who carries on the manufacture of precious metals and their articles or gemstones without a license. After it is Article 17, which punishes with a fine of not more than SAR 200,000 anyone who commits another violation of the provisions of the Law and its regulations.
In practice, if competent employees overseeing implementation of the Law come to an establishment, refusing to let them do their work or obstructing it exposes the person to this penalty. Anyone who believes the employees' action is not lawful may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
Competent employees overseeing implementation of the Law came to a gold dealer's warehouse in Dammam, and the worker, on the warehouse owner's instructions, closed the door and prevented them from entering. Whoever prevented them or caused their prevention may be punished with imprisonment for not more than two months and a fine of not more than SAR 30,000, or either.
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 16 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
What is the penalty for preventing gold inspectors from doing their work?
Imprisonment for not more than two months and a fine of not more than SAR 30,000, or either of these penalties.
Is someone punished who caused the inspectors to be prevented without preventing them personally?
Yes. The penalty covers anyone who prevents, or causes the prevention of, the competent employees from carrying out their duties.
More articles on Penalties for Gold and Jewelry Fraud
- Article 14
The article punishes with up to two years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 400,000, or either, fraud in precious metals and gemstones, altering hallmarked items and selling unhallmarked ones, with suspension of the license and closure on repeat offenses.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على سنتين وبغرامة لا تتجاوز أربعمائة ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين: أ - كل من غش أو خدع في نوع أو وزن أو عيار المعادن الثمينة أو ال
- Article 15Amended (1443 AH)
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to SAR 90,000, or either, anyone who manufactures precious metals, their articles or gemstones without a license.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على ستة أشهر وبغرامة لا تتجاوز تسعين ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من زاول صناعة المعادن الثمينة ومشغولاتها أو الأحجار الكريمة
- Article 17
The article punishes with a fine of up to SAR 200,000 anyone who commits another violation of the provisions of the Precious Metals and Gemstones Law and its regulations.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تتجاوز مائتي ألف ريال كل من ارتكب مخالفة أخرى لأحكام هذا النظام ولوائحه.
- Article 18
The article provides that the penalties in the Precious Metals Law do not prevent penalties under other laws and do not affect the injured party's right to obtain compensation.
لا يخل توقيع العقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام بتوقيع أي عقوبة تقضي بها أنظمة أخرى كما لا يخل بحق المتضرر في الحصول على التعويض.
- Article 19Amended by M/87
The article permits the judgment or decision imposing a penalty to order publication of its operative part at the violator's expense in a local newspaper or other suitable means, once it becomes final or unchallengeable.
يجوز تضمين الحكم أو القرار الصادر بالعقوبة -بحسب الأحوال- النص على نشر منطوقه على نفقة المخالف في صحيفة محلية تصدر في مقر إقامته، فإن لم يكن في مقر إقامته صحيفة
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.