Article 453 — False Testimony, Opinion or Translation.

(1) Whoever being a witness in judicial or quasi- judicial proceedings knowingly makes or gives a false statement or expert opinion, or hides the truth whether to the advantage or the prejudice of any party thereto, is punishable, even where the result sought is not achieved, with simple imprisonment, or, in the more serious cases, with rigorous imprisonment not exceeding five years. (2) Where a witness has been sworn or affirmed to speak the truth, the punishment shall be rigorous imprisonment not exceeding ten years, particularly where the result sought has been in whole or in part achieved. Where, however, in a criminal case, the accused person has been wrongly convicted or has incurred rigorous imprisonment of more than ten years in consequence of the witness's act, the witness may himself be sentenced to the punishment which he has caused to be wrongfully inflicted. (3) Any translator or interpreter who falsely translates or interprets anything in connection with such proceedings and the translation or the interpretation relates to facts material to the issue to be decided by the tribunal, shall be liable to the punishments under sub-article (1) or sub-article (2) above, according to the circumstances. (4) Where due to its discovery, the false testimony, opinion, translation or interpretation is incapable of influencing the decision of the tribunal, the punishment shall be simple imprisonment not exceeding two years.