Disclosure of Classified Documents by The Public Officer and Its Effects In Iight of the Saudi Law

Abstract

This paper investigates the public employee’s disclosure of classified documents and the effects of such disclosure in the Saudi laws, given that classified documents are one of the most important methods of management in facilitating daily work. Besides, classified documents are of major importance with regard to state security and the interests of individuals and their personal lives. The research includes an introduction, a preface, two chapters and a conclusion. The preface demonstrates the concepts of disclosure, public employee, and classified documents. The first chapter of the research deals with the basis of the public employee’s commitment to protection of classified documents in the Saudi laws. The second topic focuses on the effects of the public employee’s disclosure of classified documents and the penalties resulting thereof in the Saudi laws. It was found that classified documents are written documents issued by official departments and similar public institutions that are subject to the authority of the state and its legislations, including information that the employee is notified of divulging or disclosing them. The researcher recommended that the administration should establish a clear mechanism for protecting classified documents, and a classification of the degrees of confidentiality that aligns with the nature of the activity of each department, giving importance for disseminating awareness among employees of the danger of disclosing classified documents, and effects of such disclosure on the security of the state, society and individuals.