Article 30 of the Saudi Protection of Whistleblowers, Witnesses, Experts and Victims Law
المادة 30 من نظام حماية المبلغين والشهود والخبراء والضحايا
The article provides that sentences may not be less than half of their maximum if the offense is committed through an organized gang or in a case of recidivism within 5 years of a final judgment.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تقل العقوبات المحكوم بها عن نصف حدها الأعلى المقرر في النظام، وذلك في أي من الحالتين الآتيتين:
1- إذا ارتكبت الجريمة من خلال عصابة منظمة.
2- حالة العود. ويعد عائدًا كل من حكم بإدانته في جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام خلال (خمس) سنوات من تاريخ صدور حكم نهائي واجب النفاذ بارتكاب أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام في حقه.
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 30 explained in plain English
This article sets a minimum penalty in two cases: the sentences imposed may not be less than half of their maximum set in the Law:
- If the offense is committed through an organized gang.
- Recidivism: a recidivist is anyone convicted of an offense under the Law within 5 years of the date a final, enforceable judgment was issued against them for committing any of the offenses under the Law.
This means that in these two cases the sentence imposed may not fall below half of the maximum set for the offense in the Law.
The elements of recidivism as stated in the text:
- The earlier judgment must be final and enforceable.
- Both the earlier and the new offense must be offenses under this Law.
- The new conviction must be issued within 5 years of the date the earlier judgment was issued.
Note that the period runs from the date the final, enforceable judgment was issued, not from the date the first offense was committed.
Article 29 punishes attempt with a penalty not exceeding half of the maximum penalty set, and Article 31 provides for confiscation, by court judgment, of the money, benefit or advantage that is the subject of the offense, the tools and equipment used in it and the proceeds derived from it. Anyone facing an accusation in either of these two cases can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A final, enforceable judgment was issued against a person in Riyadh for committing an offense under this Law, and 3 years after that judgment he is convicted of another offense under the same Law. He is a recidivist, so the sentence imposed on him may not be less than half of its maximum set in the Law.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 30 of the Saudi Protection of Whistleblowers, Witnesses, Experts and Victims Law
When are penalties increased under the Whistleblower Protection Law?
The sentence imposed may not be less than half of its maximum if the offense was committed through an organized gang or in a case of recidivism.
Who is a recidivist under the Whistleblower Protection Law?
Anyone convicted of an offense under the Law within 5 years of the date a final, enforceable judgment was issued against them for committing any of the offenses under the Law.
More articles on Aggravated Penalties and Liability of Establishments
- Article 27
The article punishes a private establishment with a fine of up to SAR 5 million, a ban on contracting with public bodies for up to 5 years, or both, if its manager or personnel commit offenses under Articles 25 and 26 in its interest.
كل منشأة خاصة تعمل في المملكة ثبت أن مديرها أو أحد منسوبيها ارتكب جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في المادتين (الخامسة والعشرين) و(السادسة والعشرين) من النظام لم
- Article 28
The article punishes anyone who incites, agrees to or helps with the offenses in Articles 24 to 27 by up to the maximum penalty if the offense occurs, and up to half of it if it does not.
يعاقب من حرض غيره على ارتكاب أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في المواد (الرابعة والعشرين) و(الخامسة والعشرين) و(السادسة والعشرين) و(السابعة والعشرين) من النظام، أو
- Article 29
The article punishes attempting any offense in Articles 24, 25, 26 and 27 with a penalty not exceeding half of the maximum penalty set for that offense.
يعاقب كل من شرع في القيام بأي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في المواد (الرابعة والعشرين) و(الخامسة والعشرين) و(السادسة والعشرين) و(السابعة والعشرين) من النظام بما لا
- Article 31
The article provides for confiscation, by court judgment, of the money, benefit or advantage that is the subject of the offense, the tools used and the proceeds, without prejudice to the rights of good-faith third parties.
دون إخلال بحق الغير حسن النية، يصادر بحكم قضائي المال أو الفائدة أو الميزة محل الجريمة والأدوات والآلات المستخدمة في ارتكاب أي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظا
- Article 32
The article treats a public employee, or someone treated as one, committing the offenses in Articles 24, 25 and 26 because of their job as a corruption offense, and applies the more severe penalty if the act is an offense under another law.
1- يعد ارتكاب الموظف العام أو من في حكمه أيًّا من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في المواد (الرابعة والعشرين) و(الخامسة والعشرين) و(السادسة والعشرين) من النظام بسبب وظيف
- Article 35
The article assigns investigation and prosecution of the Law's offenses to the Public Prosecution, except corruption offenses, which the Criminal Investigation and Prosecution Unit of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority handles.
1- تتولى النيابة العامة التحقيق والادعاء أمام المحكمة المختصة بالفصل في الجرائم المنصوص عليها في النظام فيما عدا جرائم الفساد. 2- تتولى وحدة التحقيق والادعاء ال
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.