Saudi Arabia Unveils Witness Protection Center in Landmark Initiative

Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia takes a significant stride towards fortifying its legal framework with the launch of a groundbreaking center dedicated to safeguarding whistleblowers and witnesses to crimes, slated to commence operations in July.

Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al-Mojeb has accorded approval for the establishment of this pivotal initiative, in adherence to Article Four of the Law for the Protection of Whistleblowers, Witnesses, Experts, and Victims, signaling the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of justice and accountability.

The newly inaugurated center is poised to offer comprehensive legal protection to individuals who expose wrongdoing or provide crucial testimony in criminal proceedings, shielding them from potential threats, peril, or reprisals. This protective mandate is enshrined in Article Fourteen of the Law, encompassing provisions for security measures, identity concealment, and data anonymization to ensure the safety and anonymity of whistleblowers and witnesses.

Victims of crime will benefit from a spectrum of supportive measures, including potential relocation from their workplace, provision of alternative employment opportunities, and access to comprehensive legal, psychological, and social assistance, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of those impacted by criminal activities.

Furthermore, the protective ambit extends to encompass provisions for security escorts and financial aid, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s resolve to furnish robust safeguards to individuals who cooperate with law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law.

Witnesses and whistleblowers are empowered to submit protection requests under specified conditions, with the assurance of prompt intervention by the center in instances of imminent danger, without necessitating formal requests for assistance.

Perpetrators who engage in acts of harm against witnesses under the protective mantle of the center will face stringent legal repercussions, including potential imprisonment of up to three years and fines amounting to SR5 million ($1.3 million), reaffirming the Kingdom’s unwavering stance against any form of intimidation or retaliation.

Tariq Al-Suqair, a distinguished legal expert, lauded the establishment of the center as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s steadfast commitment to upholding international norms and conventions, particularly the United Nations’ organized crime convention ratified by the Kingdom in 2005. He emphasized that the center’s operational framework aligns seamlessly with Article 24 of the convention, which mandates effective protective measures for witnesses to crime.

The Saudi Public Prosecution has proposed the establishment of an executive body to oversee the administration of the center and its witness protection program, signaling a concerted institutional effort to bolster the efficacy of law enforcement mechanisms in combating organized crime syndicates.

As Saudi Arabia gears up to operationalize this pivotal program, anticipations run high for heightened efficacy in combatting sophisticated criminal enterprises, bolstered by robust protective measures for witnesses and whistleblowers.