Article 12 of the Saudi Classified Information Penal Law
المادة 12 من نظام عقوبات نشر الوثائق والمعلومات السرية وإفشائها
The article provides that the law takes effect ninety days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعمل بهذا النظام بعد تسعين يوما من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 12 explained in plain English
This closing article sets the date the law begins to apply: 90 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
This means there is a period between the law's publication and the start of its application; its provisions do not begin to apply on the day of publication, but after this period has passed. The period lets the relevant bodies and individuals learn the law's provisions before they are applied.
Another matter is linked to this date, since Article 11 provides that the National Center for Archives and Records issues the law's Implementing Regulations within 90 days of its entry into force. There are therefore two different periods:
- 90 days from publication until the law takes effect (this article).
- 90 days from entry into force to issue the Implementing Regulations (Article 11).
From the date of entry into force, the provisions apply on the ban on disseminating classified documents and disclosing classified information and the penalties set for them. To learn the effect of this on a particular incident, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 12 of the Saudi Classified Information Penal Law
When does the penal law on disseminating and disclosing classified information and documents take effect?
Ninety days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Does the Implementing Regulations period start from the publication date?
No. Article 11 makes it ninety days from the law's entry into force.
More articles on Investigation and Trial of Disclosure Crimes
- Article 8
Article 8 assigns to the investigating body competent under law the investigation of this Law's crimes and prosecution for them before the competent judicial body.
تتولى جهة التحقيق - المختصة نظاماً - التحقيق في الجرائم الواردة في هذا النظام والادعاء فيها أمام الجهة القضائية المختصة.
- Article 9
Article 9 requires government bodies, including security bodies, to notify the investigating body when any crime under this Law occurs, and to notify the government body to which the suspect belongs under Article 3.
تشعر الجهات الحكومية - بما فيها الجهات الأمنية - جهة التحقيق عند وقوع أي جريمة من الجرائم المحددة في هذا النظام، وعليها إشعار الجهة الحكومية التابع لها المشتبه
- Article 10
The article assigns to the competent court the hearing of the offenses under this law and the imposition of the penalty it provides.
تتولى المحكمة المختصة النظر في الجرائم وإيقاع العقوبة الواردة في هذا النظام.
- Article 11
The article charges the National Center for Archives and Records with issuing the law's Implementing Regulations within ninety days of its entry into force.
يصدر المركز الوطني للوثائق والمحفوظات اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام، خلال تسعين يوماً من تاريخ نفاذه.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.