Article text
(1) Whoever, addressing a third party, imputes to another, with the intent to injure his honour or reputation, an act, a fact or a conduct, where the allegation accords with the truth, is punishable, upon complaint, with simple imprisonment not exceeding six months, or fine. Statements made concerning a crime of which a person has been found guilty, has duly served the sentence or has been granted pardon or amnesty, with intent to injure his honour or reputation, shall be considered as defamation and are punishable under the preceding Article.
(2) Where the defamatory imputations or allegations constituting the injury to honour or reputation are false and are uttered or spread with knowledge of their falsity, the criminal is punishable upon complaint, for calumny with simple imprisonment for not less than one month, and fine.
(3) Where the criminal has acted with deliberate intent to ruin the victim's reputation, he shall be punished, upon complaint, with simple imprisonment for not less than three months, and fine.
(4) Where the imputation or allegation is false and made negligently, it is punishable, upon complaint, with simple imprisonment not exceeding one year, or fine.
(5) False accusation or denunciation to the authorities is punishable under the special provision (Art. 447), and is not liable to any concurrent penalty.
