Article 440 — Resisting Authority.

(1) Whoever, without proper cause: (a) offers resistance to a public servant in the exercise of his official duties; or (b) fails, when summoned to do so by a public servant in the exercise of his duties, to quit an unlawful assembly or a prohibited place, or to take part in measures to combat a public damage, caused by a conflagration, floods or any other like happening; or (c) fails to obey a lawful decision of a competent authority duly notified to him under pain of the penalty prescribed in this Article, is punishable with simple imprisonment not exceeding one year or fine not exceeding one thousand Birr. (2) Where the resistance to authority or disobedience is accompanied by force, intimidation, violence or assault, the provisions of Article 441 shall apply.