Saudi Arabia ready to announce newly updated ‘Anti-Terror Law’

A new anti-terror law in Saudi Arabia will stipulate the death penalty for anyone who commits or funds a terror crime that results in death.

Saudi Arabia has been steadily working on improving its anti-terror laws to deal with gaps in previous legislation while going to “some incredible lengths to humanely rehabilitate Saudi citizens convicted of terrorism charges.”

The kingdom has been actively involved in combating terrorism both at home and abroad as part of commitments to boost security and stability, officials have said.

The new law will support a sentence of at least 15 years in jail for anyone found guilty of misusing his authority or his educational, training, social or media guidance status to support terrorism, a Saudi daily reported on Saturday.

Under the new law, anyone who refers to the king or to the crown prince directly or indirectly in terms that challenge religion or justice will be sentenced to between five and 10 years in jail.

Suspects who carry firearms or explosives firing a terror crime will be jailed up to 30 years and no less than 10 years, the new law says.

A jail term of between 10 and 25 years awaits anyone who sets up a terror entity or holds a leading position within it. The sentence will be between 10 and 30 years if the suspect is a military officer or serviceman who received training with a terror group.

Those who incite others to join terror groups, to participate in their activities or to fund them in any form will face from eight to 25 years in jail, the daily added.

Those who set up training grounds for terror groups or train on the use of firearms, explosives or nuclear, chemical, biological, radiological, poisonous or incendiary materials, incendiary devices or any telecommunications or electronic means, as well as those who prepare, make, assemble or develop, possess or import them will spend between 10 and 20 years in jail. The same punishment will await those who falsify or misuse media and those who provide training on martial arts and security and combat skills.

Suspects found guilty of providing terrorists with weapons, explosives, ammunition, nuclear or chemical or biological substances will face up to 30 years while the sentence for assisting terrorists could be jailed for up to 20 years.

Providing terrorists with shelter, medical treatment, a place for meetings or a means of transport equals up to 20 years in jail, the law said.

Fines will vary between three million Saudi riyals and 10 million Saudi riyals.