Criminal Code > PART II SPECIAL PART 2

CHAPTER II CRIMES AGAINST FOREIGN STATES

Article 261- Hostile Acts Against a Foreign State.

Whoever, within the territory of Ethiopia and at the risk of endangering peaceful relations with foreign countries:

(a) attempts to disturb, by subversive activities, by slander, by malicious propaganda or by violence, the internal political order or security of a foreign State; or

(b) infringes a governmental decision, duly published in the Federal Negarit Gazeta or officially declared by other means, taken for the purpose of safeguarding Ethiopia’s neutrality during a foreign war; or

is punishable with simple imprisonment for at least three months, or, in cases of exceptional gravity, with rigorous imprisonment not exceeding ten years.

Article 262- Outrages against Foreign Heads of State, Representatives and Other Persons Enjoying Protections under International Law.

(1) Whoever, within the territory of the State of Ethiopia makes an attack on or endangers the life, liberty or security of head of State or Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representative of a foreign State or his family accompanying him or any official or agent of international organization or any other person enjoying protections from any attack under International law; or endangers his official premise, private accommodations or means of transport; or utters a threat to commit one of the acts specified above;

Is punishable with rigorous imprisonment not exceeding ten years.

(2) Where the death of persons specified in Sub-article (1) above ensued during the commission of a crime, the relevant provisions relating to homicide shall apply.

Article 263- Violation of Foreign Sovereignty.

Whoever, contrary to public international law, for the purpose of engaging in unlawful, subversive or dangerous activities:

(a) enters the territory of a foreign State; or

(b) improperly performs on the territory of such State acts falling within the jurisdiction of the public authorities,

is punishable with simple imprisonment, or, in more serious cases, with rigorous imprisonment not exceeding three years.

Article 264- Insults to Foreign States.

(1) Whoever in any way publicly abuses, insults, defames or slanders by word of mouth or by deed, a foreign State, either directly or in the person of its Head, of one of its constituted authorities, of one of its accredited diplomatic representatives or of one of its official representatives or delegates in the territory of Ethiopia,

Is punishable with simple imprisonment or fine.

(2) In grave cases, especially in a case of slander, simple imprisonment shall be for not less than three months.

Article 265- Insults to the Official Emblems of Foreign States.

Whoever, out of ill-will, hatred, contempt or other improper motives tears down, destroys, defaces, insults or in any other way abuses the emblems of sovereignty of a foreign State with which Ethiopia maintains peaceful relations, particularly its insignia or national flag publicly hoisted by an official representative of such State,

Is punishable with simple imprisonment or fine.

Article 266- Insults to inter-State Institutions.

Whoever publicly insults the representatives or the official emblems of an inter-State institution or organization of which Ethiopia is a member, is liable to the punishment provided for under Article 265.

Article 267- Reciprocity.The provisions relating to crimes against foreign States laid down in this Chapter shall apply only to States whose legislation grants reciprocal protective treatment to Ethiopia.

Nothing in this Article shall affect the provision of Article 253.

Article 268- Condition of Prosecution.

Prosecution for a crime under this Chapter can only be instituted where a complaint is lodged by the concerned State or organization and on the approval of the Federal Minister of Justice.