Crime of Disclosing State Secrets from an Islamic Sharia Perspective and Its Impact on Sustainable Development

Abstract

The research aimed to define "the crime of disclosing state secrets" from an Islamic Sharia perspective, its ruling, its punishment, and to demonstrate its effects from both the Sharia and legal perspectives. The study was based on the descriptive method and relied within that framework on the analytical approach, resulting in several findings, the most prominent of which are as follows:

Disclosing State Secrets: Means publishing and disclosing secret matters containing information, the disclosure of which could harm the national security of the state, or its interests, policies, or rights, through what an employee - or others by virtue of their position - obtains of information that, if disclosed, would damage the state. Disclosing secrets is considered betrayal and is prohibited by Sharia. Disclosing state secrets falls under the category of corruption on earth, and the perpetrator is punishable by the penalty for brigandage; because he is a corruptor, especially with military secrets. Statutory systems are strict in disclosing secrets and information about the state, including (war, political, diplomatic, economic, and industrial information). In Saudi law: Punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty years or a fine not exceeding one million Riyals, or both. The penalty for the crime of disclosing state secrets is dismissed by: death, and pardon. The crime of disclosing state secrets affects the economy and sustainable development.

The Researchers Recommend:

1. Providing strong deterrence to ensure that state secrets are not disclosed.

2.         Instilling love of the homeland in the hearts of citizens, and preventing attraction to any influences that lead to the disclosure of state secrets.