Article 618 — Special Cases Aggravating the Crime.

(1) Where the defamation or calumny, insult or outrage, has been deliberately committed against a public servant in the discharge of his official duty, or in relation thereto, the criminal is punishable, upon complaint: a) with simple imprisonment not exceeding six months, and fine not exceeding one thousand Birr in cases of insult or outrage; b) with simple imprisonment from one month to one year, and fine in cases of defamation; or c) with simple imprisonment for not less than three months, and fine in cases of calumny; or d) with simple imprisonment for not less than six months, and fine, in cases of deliberate act to ruin the victim's reputation. (2) Nothing in this Article shall affect the special provisions relating to injury to the honour of the State (Art. 244), to insults to foreign States and inter-State institutions (Art. 264 and 266), to insults to a military superior (Art. 297) and to contempt of Court (Art. 449).