Article 408 — Corrupt Practices.

(1) Any public servant who, directly or indirectly, seeks, receives or exacts a promise of an advantage for himself or another, in consideration for the performance or omission of an act, in violation of the duties proper to his office, is punishable with simple imprisonment for not less than one year, or rigorous imprisonment not exceeding ten years and fine not exceeding twenty thousand Birr. (2) Where the purpose of the breach of responsibility or duty solicited, the extent of the advantage received, the official capacity or powers of the person corrupted or the extent of the harm to private, public or State interests renders the case of particular gravity, the punishment shall be rigorous imprisonment from seven years to fifteen years and fine not exceeding fifty thousand Birr. (3) Where two or more of the circumstances mentioned in sub- article (2) above are present concurrently, the punishment shall be rigorous imprisonment from ten years to twenty-five years and fine not exceeding one hundred thousand Birr. (4) Any public servant who, in the manner specified under sub- article (1) of this Article, and in respect of a duty connected with international trade, solicits, accepts or agrees to accept an advantage or a gift from any foreign State, person or organization, including a transnational corporation, shall, according to the circumstance of the case, be liable to one of the punishments prescribed in the three sub-articles hereinabove.