What Is the Penalty for Verbal Threats Under Saudi Law?
Verbal threats are considered by Saudi law to be a serious crime that requires a deterrent punishment for anyone who commits it, due to the negative psychological harm they cause to the victim. Not only that, but threats also affect society as a whole.
Therefore, Saudi law has established strict provisions to protect society from such acts. It considers verbal threats a crime that requires accountability and punishment, whether the threat occurs directly face to face or through social media platforms. The law treats this crime seriously to guarantee the rights of those affected and deter anyone who may be tempted to commit such an act.
In this article, we will explain the penalty for verbal threats, as well as the procedures and conditions that must be followed if you are exposed to this crime.
Penalty for Verbal Threats
If a person threatens another person verbally face to face, this constitutes a crime punishable under Saudi criminal law in accordance with the provisions of Islamic Sharia. Article (1) of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law states:
“Courts shall apply the provisions of Islamic Sharia to the cases brought before them, according to what is indicated by the Quran and Sunnah, and the regulations issued by the ruler that do not contradict the Quran and Sunnah. Courts shall also comply, in their procedures for hearing cases, with what is stated in this Law.”
This article means that the penalty for verbal threats is a discretionary punishment determined by the criminal judge hearing the case. The judge decides the punishment according to the circumstances and details of the committed crime, as well as the nature and seriousness of the threat.
In many cases, the offender may be punished with imprisonment, a fine, flogging, one of these penalties, or a combination of two of them.
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Penalty for Verbal Threats Over the Phone
Saudi laws consider verbal threats over the phone to be crimes that require a deterrent punishment, due to the moral and psychological harm they may cause and their negative effect on people’s lives.
For this reason, the legislator has been keen to establish strict penalties to deter anyone who uses the phone to harm, threaten, or violate the privacy of others.
In general, there is no specific legal text that directly defines the penalty for verbal threats over the phone. However, judgments vary according to the judge’s discretion and the circumstances of each case. In general, paragraph five of Article (3) of the Anti-Cybercrime Law states:
“Any person who defames others and causes harm to them through various information technology means shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand Saudi riyals, or by either of these two penalties.”
This article shows that Saudi law strongly commits to protecting individuals from any violation that affects their rights and safety, while emphasizing the importance of responsible use of phones and social media platforms.
Therefore, anyone who commits threats through the phone, WhatsApp, or any communication method may face imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to SAR 500,000, or both penalties together.
Knowing the penalty for threats of defamation is the first line of defense to legally protect your dignity and reputation.
How to File a Threat Lawsuit in Saudi Arabia
Anyone exposed to verbal threats over the phone, WhatsApp, or another means of communication may follow the steps below to file a threat lawsuit and have the penalty for verbal threats applied to the offender.
This can be done through the electronic Najiz portal, which facilitates procedures for individuals exposed to this crime. The steps for filing the lawsuit are as follows:
- Log in to the Najiz portal, go to electronic services, and access the judiciary service.
- Click on the statement of claim service, then select the icon for submitting a new request.
- Choose the main and sub-classification of the case, then specify the type of claim as a threat lawsuit.
- Review the requirements for the lawsuit and attach them.
- Enter the details of the parties to the case and attach the required documents.
- Add the claimant’s requests, then click submit.
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Conditions for Filing a Threat Lawsuit in Saudi Arabia
There are several conditions that must be met to file a threat lawsuit in Saudi Arabia. The most important conditions include:
Legal Capacity
The claimant must have the legal capacity that enables them to file the lawsuit, and must be sane and of legal age.
Legal Standing and Interest
The claimant must have a legal standing and a genuine interest in filing the lawsuit, meaning that they must have suffered harm as a result of the criminal act.
The Crime
There must be an actual crime, and that crime must be properly documented, whether through investigations or reports issued by the competent authorities.
Legal Deadlines
The lawsuit must be filed within the legally specified deadlines, as each type of crime has a specific period during which the lawsuit may be filed. Otherwise, it may not be accepted.
Direct Impact
The claimant must have been directly affected by the crime, whether through material or moral damage.
Availability of Evidence
The claimant must provide evidence supporting their claim, such as documents, observations, or other means of proof.
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What Is the Best Law Firm for Threat Cases?
If you are looking for a specialized law firm with long experience in threat cases, Nawaf bin Awad Al-Harbi Law Firm should certainly be your first destination. It is considered one of the leading law firms in Saudi Arabia and has extensive experience that has made it one of the most important and best law firms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The firm is distinguished by its long experience in threat cases, thanks to its knowledge of all related laws and regulations and its continuous follow-up of the latest Saudi legislation and legal updates, enabling it to achieve the best results in its clients’ cases.
Contact the best criminal case lawyer now to begin the procedures for reporting verbal threats immediately, prepare the evidence, and file the lawsuit correctly to protect your rights and hold the offender accountable under Saudi law.
Conclusion
Given the seriousness of threats to individuals and society, Saudi law has imposed a penalty for verbal threats on anyone who commits such an act, making it a strong deterrent against anyone who may attempt to commit this crime and violate the privacy and dignity of others. Saudi law has also clarified the steps and conditions required to file a threat lawsuit, which we have explained in this article to make it easier for people exposed to such crimes to take action against offenders and have them punished.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for threats in Saudi Arabia?
The penalty for threats is a discretionary punishment determined by the criminal judge hearing the case. The judge determines it according to the type of threat and the circumstances of both the offender and the victim, if the threat was committed using ordinary means.
However, if the threat was committed using information technology means, the fine may exceed SAR 500,000.
Someone is threatening me on WhatsApp. What should I do?
If you are threatened by someone on WhatsApp or any other social media platform, you can file a complaint through the Absher platform or the Kollona Amn application.
You may also submit the complaint directly to the Public Prosecution or the police, attaching evidence of the threat, such as a screenshot of the threatening message that includes the sender’s phone number.
What is the penalty for threats on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is considered a social media platform, so threats made through it fall under Article 3 of the Anti-Cybercrime Law. The penalty may include imprisonment for one year, a fine of SAR 500,000, or both penalties together.