Walaykum Assalam,
Pardon for the distressing circumstances your friend is going through. In the case of what you've mentioned, it's imperative and critical to get a fair representation in court.
According to Saudi Arabian law, the Criminal Procedure Law, Royal Decree No. M/39 (the "CPL") is the primary procedural law related to offenses and their corresponding penalties.
Article 35 of the CPL states:
"The accused shall be entitled to demand the presence of a representative or an attorney during the investigation proceedings."
This demonstrates that he has the right to have legal representation there.
Further, the trial should be according to Article 159 of the CPL which states:
"The trial shall start by reading the indictment before the accused, who shall then be asked whether he admits or denies the charge. The accused may reserve his response, and his reservation shall be recorded."
To counter the company's claim, you can use Article 102 of CPL:
"The investigator may make use of all methods of evidence permissible by virtue of the provisions of the Islamic Sharia in establishing the occurrence of an offense or the reasons leading to its commission."
You could potentially present the delayed data entry issue as one of the reasons prompting the alleged offense's occurrence and further hire a defense attorney who can use this statute to your friend's advantage.
However, strong evidence showing this is a legitimate delay and not an intentional act to manipulate the stock is required. I highly recommend getting legal representation from an attorney who specializes in such cases and is well-versed in Saudi laws.
Please note that legal consequences differ according to individual cases, the specific context, and nuances. Therefore, the course of action may be different based on details not mentioned in your query. Please consult an experienced legal representative for a tailored and effective approach in this case.
