The royal pardon (العفو الملكي) is one of the topics most often raised by families of people serving sentences in Saudi Arabia, especially in criminal and drug cases. Every season, rumors spread about who is covered and when releases will happen. This article explains the general concept of a pardon, its forms, and what you should know and do, without relying on what circulates on social media.
What is a royal pardon?
A royal pardon is issued by royal order and pardons certain convicted persons or reduces their sentences, according to rules set out in each order. It is issued on various occasions, such as the holy month of Ramadan or others, and the categories covered and the conditions differ from one pardon to the next according to what is officially announced.
Public right and private right
A royal pardon relates in principle to the public right (al-haq al-aam), meaning the punishment the state seeks on behalf of society. The private right (al-haq al-khas) belonging to individuals, such as debts, compensation and victims' rights, is not cancelled by a general pardon. It remains in place until it is settled or its owner waives it.
Does the pardon cover drug cases?
Whether a pardon covers drug cases or any others depends on the rules announced for each pardon. Certain crimes or categories may be excluded, and conditions may apply, such as good conduct during the sentence or having served part of the term. So no individual case can be assessed before its details are matched against the official rules. To understand how penalties are graded in these cases, read drug penalties in Saudi Arabia.
How is the pardon applied?
The competent authorities identify those covered by the pardon according to its rules, review their files, and then release those who meet the conditions. Usually the convicted person does not need to submit an application to be considered, but following up on the file, making sure its details are correct and that no private rights are outstanding can save time.
What to do if your relative has been sentenced
- Obtain a copy of the judgment deed and the case details: the type of crime, the sentence, and the date the sentence began.
- Check whether any private rights are outstanding, such as debts or compensation, as these may delay release even if the pardon applies.
- Follow official announcements, and do not rely on forwarded messages.
- Consult a specialist lawyer to assess whether the rules apply to the case and to learn what other options are available.
Judgments and court documents are issued in Arabic. If the family does not read Arabic, the firm can explain them in English.
Options other than a pardon
Besides a pardon, there may be other legal routes depending on the stage of the case. These include objecting to the judgment if it is still within the objection period, conditional release requests in cases where the law allows them, settlement or waiver of private rights, and then rehabilitation (restoration of reputation) once the statutory periods have passed.
Frequently asked questions
Does a royal pardon cover all cases?
No. It depends on the rules announced for each pardon, and some crimes and categories may be excluded.
Does a pardon cancel other people's rights?
No. The pardon relates to the public right, and the private right remains until it is settled or waived.
How do I know whether my relative's case is covered?
By matching the details of the judgment against the official rules of the pardon. A lawyer can help you with this.
Do I need to apply for the pardon?
Usually the competent authorities identify those covered, but following up on the file and dealing with private rights can speed up the process.
Is a royal pardon coming soon?
A royal pardon is issued by royal order, and its date is not announced in advance. In many years it has come near Ramadan, but neither its issue, timing nor conditions can be predicted for a given year. Follow the official announcement, not circulated messages.
What are the conditions of a pardon in drug cases?
The conditions are set by each order and change from year to year. They usually turn on the type of offence (use is treated more leniently than dealing or smuggling), how much of the sentence has been served, conduct, and whether a private right is owed to someone else. The competent committees review each file individually.
Does a past pardon (such as 1443H) cover my case today?
Each pardon applies on its own terms to those it covered when it was issued. A pardon from an earlier year does not extend automatically to a case today.
How a Usus Law Firm lawyer can help
The Usus Law Firm team handles criminal cases and drug cases in Riyadh and Tabuk, and assesses the position of the case and the legal steps available. Contact us for a consultation on 053 034 9349.
Read also: the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law explained.
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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