Article 9 of the Saudi Public Utilities Protection Law
المادة 9 من نظام حماية المرافق العامة
The article punishes with a fine of up to SAR 2,000 any beneficiary of public utility services who helps others use them unlawfully.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تزيد عن ألفي ريال كل مستفيد من خدمات المرافق العامة يسهل للغير الاستفادة منها بطريقة غير مشروعة.
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 9 explained in plain English
This article targets a specific case: the lawful beneficiary of a public utility service, that is, the subscriber who obtains the service lawfully but helps another person to use it unlawfully.
Elements of the violation as set out in the text:
- The person is a beneficiary of public utility services.
- He helps others to use these services.
- The other person's use is unlawful.
The penalty: a fine of up to SAR 2,000.
A common example is running an electricity wire or water pipe from a subscribed home to another, unsubscribed home in an unlawful manner. The article does not specify what counts as lawful or unlawful use; that depends on each utility's regulations and instructions.
This article differs from Article 8, which punishes with a fine of up to SAR 3,000 tampering with water or electricity meters or public telephone devices or their lines with the intent of disabling them. This article instead punishes the beneficiary who helps others to use the service.
Article 10 allows, in case of repeat offense, a fine above the maximum limit, provided it does not exceed double that limit. Anyone facing an accusation of this violation may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
Khalid subscribes to electricity service for his home in Taif. He ran a wire from his meter to an annex occupied by another person, without a separate subscription and without the approval of the electricity company. Under the article, Khalid can be punished with a fine of up to SAR 2,000 because he helped another person use the service unlawfully.
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 9 of the Saudi Public Utilities Protection Law
What is the penalty for connecting electricity from my meter to another house unlawfully?
A beneficiary who helps others use public utility services unlawfully is punished with a fine of up to SAR 2,000.
Whom does this article punish?
It punishes the beneficiary of public utility services who helps others use them unlawfully.
More articles on Penalties for Attacking Public Utilities
- Article 5Amended by M/38
The article punishes anyone who deliberately damages, cuts or disables public utility lines or facilities with up to two years' imprisonment and a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or either, with the possible publication of the penalty.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على سنتين وبغرامة لا تتجاوز مائة ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين؛ كل من تعمد إتلاف أي من تمديدات أو منشآت المرافق العامة، أو تعمد قط
- Article 6
The article punishes anyone who causes damage to, or the cutting or disabling of, public utility lines with a fine of up to SAR 100,000, and allows a contractor responsible to be barred from future contracting.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تتجاوز مائة ألف ريال كل من تسبب في إتلاف أي من تمديدات المرافق العامة أو قطعها أو تعطيلها. فإن كان المتسبب في ذلك مقاولا فإنه يجوز منع التعاقد م
- Article 7
The article punishes with a fine of up to SAR 50,000 anyone who encroaches on public utilities to use their services unlawfully, or who encroaches on public roads and railways or their protected zones.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تتجاوز خمسين ألف ريال كل من يتعدى على منشآت المرافق العامة أو شبكاتها بقصد الاستفادة من خدماتها بطريقة غير مشروعة، وكذا كل من يتعدى على السكك ال
- Article 8
The article punishes with a fine of up to SAR 3,000 anyone who tampers with water or electricity meters or public telephones, or who floods, disables or endangers traffic on roads or railways.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تزيد عن ثلاثة آلاف ريال كل من يعبث بعدادات المياه أو الكهرباء أو أجهزة الهاتف العامة أو تمديداتها بقصد تعطيل وظيفتها أو الإخلال بها، وكذا كل من
- Article 10
The article allows, in case of repeat offense under the Law, a fine above the maximum limit, provided it does not exceed double that limit.
في حالة العود إلى ارتكاب أي من المخالفات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، يجوز أن يحكم بأكثر من الحد الأقصى المقرر للغرامة، على ألا يتجاوز ضعف هذا الحد.
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.