The Council of Ministers, after perusal of its session held under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, regarding Royal Court File 47177 dated 26 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [8 January 2024], which includes Ministry of Justice Telegram 456422973 dated 7 Jumada Al-Awwal 1445 [20 November 2023], regarding the study of the discretionary authority of criminal investigation officers in handcuffing persons, and limiting this to specific cases that require it,
after perusal of the Criminal Procedure Law issued by Royal Decree D/2 dated 22 Muharram 1435 [26 November 2013],
after perusal of the Executive Regulation of the Criminal Procedure Law issued by Council of Ministers Decision 142 dated 21 Rabi Al-Awwal 1436 [12 January 2015],
after perusal of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Minutes 226 dated 17 Rajab 1444 [8 February 2023] and Memorandum 2521 dated 12 Rajab 1445 [23 January 2024],
after perusal of the Council of Political and Security Affairs Minutes DT/2102/4 dated 21 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [3 January 2024] and MST/59-8/45 dated 15 Sha’ban 1445 [25 February 2024],
and after perusal of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 9526 dated 6 Ramadan 1445 [16 March 2024],
hereby decides
A paragraph is hereby added to article 21 of the Executive Regulation of the Criminal Procedure Law issued by Council of Ministers Decision 142 dated 21 Rabi Al-Awwal 1436 [12 January 2015] numbered 5 with the following text: “It is prohibited to handcuff the accused upon arrest, unless he is a danger to himself or to others, or if he tries to escape.”
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
Issued on: 14/10/1445
Corresponding to: 23/4/2024
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5030 issued on 3 May 2024.