Article 3 of the Saudi Protection of Whistleblowers, Witnesses, Experts and Victims Law

This article carries protection into the litigation stage, after Article 2 required the oversight, seizure and investigation bodies to conceal identity. It contains four provisions:

1. Protection measures during litigation: if there is a basis to believe the whistleblower, witness, expert or victim may be exposed to danger, the court must take the special measures it considers appropriate, including preventing the witness or expert from being seen while attending, entering or leaving the court, and using audio-visual communication to hear testimony remotely; when required, it may use voice and image alteration technology. It may use the program administration, established under Article 4, to enforce these measures.
2. Hearing apart from the accused: when required, the court may hear witnesses and examine experts apart from the accused and his lawyer, provided that the accused or his lawyer is informed of the content of the testimony and the expert report without disclosing the identity of the person who gave them. The Regulations specify the cases in which this must be applied.
3. Disclosing identity as an exception: the court may authorize disclosure of the real identity of the person covered by protection if it considers this necessary to exercise the right of defense and the witness's testimony or the expert's statement is the only means of proof in the case. The necessary types of protection in Article 14, such as security protection and changing the place of residence, must then be provided, after coordination with the program administration.
4. Concealing names in the judgment deed: when required, the court may conceal the names of witnesses in the judicial judgment deed, and the Regulations specify the cases in which concealment is mandatory.

The text thus balances the safety of witnesses and experts with the accused's right of defense.