Article 27 — Attempt,

(1) Whoever intentionally begins to commit a crime and does not pursue or is unable to pursue his criminal activity to its end, or who pursues his criminal activity to its end without achieving the result necessary for the completion of the crime shad be guilty of an attempt. The crime is deemed to be begun when the act performed dearly aims, by way of direct consequence, at Ms commission. (2) An attempted crime is always punishable save as is otherwise provided by law, A mere attempt to instigate or assist in a crime does not come within the provisions of the law unless it is expressly provided to the contrary. (3) Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 117, in the case of an attempted crime the criminal is liable to the punishment attaching to the crime he intended to commit: Provided that if circumstances so Justify the Court may reduce the punishment within the limits provided by law (Art. 179).