SAUDI ARABIA: NEW ANTI-TERROR LAWS INCLUDE DEATH PENALTY
November 6, 2017: The new laws state that individuals defaming and publicly insulting the King and the Crown Prince will be sentenced to 5 to 10 years of imprisonment. Terrorists conducting terror attacks while carrying arms and explosives will face 10 to 30 years in prison. Terrorists establishing a terrorist cell or leading one will face 10 to 25 years in prison. Individuals receiving training from terrorist organizations on using arms, explosives, chemical substances, wired and wireless telecommunication devices and ways to smuggle them into the Kingdom will face 20 to 30 years in prison. Individuals who entice and coax another person to join a terrorist organization will face 8 to 25 years in prison. Individuals who set up a training camp or manage one or get training in such a camp will face 10 to 20 years in prison. The punishment will be harsher for individuals with a military background. They may face 20 to 30 years of imprisonment. Individuals who help terrorists with weapons in any way will face 10 to 30 years in prison. Individuals who misuse their status in any way either academic or social status or media influence to promote terrorism will face a maximum of 15 years in prison. Individuals who forge documents for terrorist operations and get training on martial arts for terrorist operations will face 10 to 30 years in prison. Individuals who smuggle explosives, atomic substances or wired or wireless communication devices will face 15 to 20 years in prison. Individuals conducting a terror attack that results in the death of 1 or more people will face the death penalty. Individuals may face a fine of a minimum of SR3 million and a maximum of SR10 million for funding terrorist operations. The specialized court has the authority to freeze the individual's financial accounts and transactions or to appoint a judicial guard to manage the individual's money and transactions. The court also has the authority to publicize the individual's crime and penalty. The new laws also include protecting witnesses and keeping their identities confidential. (Source: Saudi Gazette, November 6, 2017)
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