Title Three: Offences against Personal Honour and in Breach of Secrecy or Privacy 196
196Amended by No I of the FA of 20 Dec. 1968, in force since 1 May 1969 (AS 1969 319322; BBl 1968 I 585). |
Art. 173197
1. Offence against personal honour Defamation 1. Any person who in addressing a third party, makes an accusation against or casts suspicion on another of dishonourable conduct or of other conduct that shall be liable to damage another's reputation, any person who disseminates such accusations or suspicions, shall be liable on complaint to a monetary penalty.198 2. If the accused proves that the statement made or disseminated by him corresponds to the truth or that he had substantial grounds to hold an honest belief that it was true, he is not liable to a penalty. 3. The accused is not permitted to lead evidence in support of and is criminally liable for statements that are made or disseminated with the primary intention of accusing someone of disreputable conduct without there being any public interest or any other justified cause, and particularly where such statements refer to a person’s private or family life. 4. If the offender recants his statement, the court may impose a more lenient penalty or no penalty at all. 5. If the accused is unable to prove the truth of his statement, or if it is shown to be untrue, or if the accused recants his statement, the court must state this in its judgment or in another document. 197Amended by No I of the FA of 5 Oct. 1950, in force since 5 Jan. 1951 (AS 1951 116; BBl 1949 I 1249). 198 Penalties revised by No II 1 of the FA of 19 June 2015 (Amendment to the Law on Criminal Sanctions), in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2016 1249; BBl 2012 4721). |
Art. 174
Wilful defamation 1. A person in addressing a third party, and knowing his allegations to be untrue, makes an accusation against or casts suspicion on another of dishonourable conduct, or of other conduct that shall be liable to damage another's reputation, any person who disseminates such accusations or suspicions, knowing them to be untrue, shall be liable on complaint to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2. If the offender has acted systematically to undermine the good reputation of another, he shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty of not less than 30 daily penalty units.199 3. If the offender recants his statement before the court on the grounds that it is untrue, the court may impose a more lenient penalty. The court must provide the person harmed with a document confirming the recantation. 199 Penalties revised by No II 1 para. 16 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Art. 175
Defamation of a deceased person or of a person missing presumed dead 1 If the defamation, whether wilful or not, is directed at a person who is deceased or who has been declared missing presumed dead, the relatives of the deceased person or the person missing presumed dead are entitled to apply for prosecution. 2 No offence is committed if, at the time of the statement being made, the deceased person has been dead or the missing person missing for more than 30 years. |
Art. 177
Insult 1 Any person who attacks the honour of another verbally, in writing, in pictures, through gestures or through acts of aggression shall be liable on complaint to a monetary penalty not exceeding 90 daily penalty units.200 2 If the insulted party has directly provoked the insult by improper behaviour, the court may dispense with imposing a penalty on the offender. 3 If there is an immediate response to the insult by way of a retaliatory insult or act of aggression, the court may dispense with imposing a penalty on either or both offenders. 200 Penalties revised by No II 1 para. 16 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Art. 178
Limitation 1 The right to prosecute misdemeanours against personal honour is subject to a limitation period of four years.201 2 Article 31 applies to the expiry of the right to file a complaint.202 201Amended by No I of the FA of 22 March 2002 (Limitation of the Right to Prosecute), in force since 1 Oct. 2002 (AS 2002 29862988; BBl 2002 26731649). 202 Amended by No II 2 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Art. 179
2. Breach of the privacy of a sealed document Any person who without authority opens a sealed document or sealed mail in order to obtain knowledge of its content, any person who disseminates or makes use of information he has obtained by opening a sealed document or sealed mail that was not intended for him, shall be liable on complaint to a fine. |
Art. 179bis204
Listening in on and recording the conversations of others Any person who by using a listening device and without the permission of all those participating, listens in on a private conversation between other persons, or records such a conversation on a recording device, any person who makes use of information that he knows or must assume has come to his knowledge as the result of an offence under the above paragraph or makes such information known to a third party, any person who stores or allows a third party access to a recording that he knows or must assume has been made as the result of an offence under paragraph 1 above, shall be liable on complaint to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 204Inserted by No I of the FA of 20 Dec. 1968, in force since 1 May 1969 (AS 1969 319322; BBl 1968 I 585). |
Art. 179ter205
Unauthorised recording of conversations Any person who, as a participant in a private conversation, records the conversation on a recording device without the permission of the other participants, any person who stores or makes use of a recording, makes the recording available or discloses its content to a third party when he knows or must assume that the recording has been made as the result of an offence under paragraph 1 above, shall be liable on complaint to a custodial sentence not exceeding one year or to a monetary penalty.206 205 Inserted by No I of the FA of 20 Dec. 1968, in force since 1 May 1969 (AS 1969 319322; BBl 1968 I 585). 206 Penalties revised by No II 1 para. 16 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Art. 179quater207
Breach of secrecy or privacy through the use of an image-carrying device Any person who observes with a recording device or records with an image-carrying device information from the secret domain of another or information which is not automatically accessible from the private domain of another, any person who makes use of information or makes information known to a third party, which he knows or must assume has been produced as a result of an offence under paragraph 1 above, any person who stores or allows a third party access to a recording that he knows or must assume has been made as the result of an offence under paragraph 1 above, shall be liable on complaint to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 207Inserted by No I of the FA of 20 Dec. 1968, in force since 1 May 1969 (AS 1969 319322; BBl 1968 I 585). |
Art. 179quinquies208
Legal recordings 1 Persons who as participants in the conversation or subscribers to a participating line record calls:
are not liable to a penalty under Article 179bis paragraph 1 or Article 179ter paragraph 1. 2 Article 179bis paragraphs 2 and 3 and 179ter paragraph 2 apply by analogy to the use of recordings in accordance with paragraph 1 above. 208Inserted by No I of the FA of 20 Dec. 1968 (AS 1969 319; BBl 1968 I 585). Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2003, in force since 1 March 2004 (AS 2004 823824; BBl 2001 26325816). |
Art. 179sexies209
Marketing and promotion of devices for unlawful listening or sound or image recording 1. Any person who manufactures, imports, exports, acquires, stores, possesses, transports, passes on to another, sells, leases, lends or in any other manner markets, promotes or provides instruction on the manufacture of technical devices which are in particular intended for unlawful listening or the unlawful making of sound or image recordings, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2. If the offender acts on behalf of a third party, that third party shall be liable to the same penalty as the offender provided he was aware that the offence was being committed and failed to use his best efforts to prevent the commission of the offence. If the third party is a legal entity, a general or limited partnership or a sole proprietorship210, paragraph 1 above applies to those persons who acted or should have acted on behalf of that entity. 209Inserted by No I of the FA of 20 Dec. 1968, in force since 1 May 1969 (AS 1969 319322; BBl 1968 I 585). 210 Terminological amendment relevant only to the German text. |
Art. 179septies211
Misuse of a telecommunications installation Any person who uses a telecommunications installation maliciously or mischievously in order to cause distress to or harass another, shall be liable on complaint to a fine. 211 Inserted by No I of the FA of 20 Dec. 1968 (AS 1969 319; BBl 1968 I 585). Amended by Annex No 2 of the Telecommunications Act of 30 April 1997, in force since 1 Jan. 1998 (AS 19972187; BBl 1996III 1405). |
Art. 179octies212
Official surveillance, exempted acts 1 Any person who, in the exercise of express statutory powers, orders or carries out the surveillance of the post or telecommunications of another or makes use of technical surveillance devices (Art. 179bis ff.) does not commit an offence provided that the approval of the appropriate court is obtained without delay. 2 The requirements for the surveillance of post or telecommunications and the procedure therefor is governed by the Federal Act of 6 October 2000213 on the Surveillance of Post and Telecommunications. 212Inserted by No VII of the FA of 23 March 1979 on the Protection of Personal Privacy (AS 1979 1170; BBl 1976 I 529II 1569). Amended by Annex No 1 of the FA of 6 Oct. 2000 on the Surveillance of Post and Telecommunications, in force since 1 Jan. 2002 (AS 20013096; BBl 1998 4241). 213 [AS 2001 3096; 2003 2133Annex No 18, 3043No I 2; 2004 2149, 3693; 2006 2197Annex No 84, 5437Art. 2 No 3; 2007 921Annex No 3, 5437Annex No II 7; 2010 1881Annex 1 No II 26, 3267Annex No II 14; 2012 3745Annex No 7; 2017 4095Annex No II 12.AS 2018 117]. See now: the FA of 18 March 2016 (SR 780.1). |
Art. 179novies214
Obtaining personal data without authorisation Any person who without authorisation obtains from a data collection personal data or personality profiles that are particularly sensitive and that are not freely accessible shall be liable on complaint to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 214Inserted by Annex No 4 of the FA of 19 June 1992 on Data Protection, in force since 1 July 1993 (AS 1993 1945; BBl 1988 II 413). |
Title Four: Felonies and Misdemeanours against Liberty |
Art. 180
Threatening behaviour 1 Any person who places another in a state of fear and alarm by making a serious threat shall be liable on complaint to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2 The offender is prosecuted ex officio if he:
215 Inserted by Annex No 18 of the Same-Sex Partnership Act of 18 June 2004, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 20055685; BBl 2003 1288). 216 Inserted by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2003 (Prosecution of Offences within Marriage or Registered Partnerships), in force since 1 April 2004 (AS 2004 14031407; BBl 2003 19091937). |
Art. 181
Coercion Any person who, by the use of force or the threat of serious detriment or other restriction of another's freedom to act compels another to carry out an act, to fail to carry out an act or to tolerate an act, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. |
Art. 181a217
Forced marriage, forced registered partnership 1 Any person who, by the use of force or the threat of serious detriment or other restriction of another's freedom to act compels another to enter into a marriage or to have a same-sex partnership registered shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. 2 Any person who commits the foregoing offence abroad but is now in Switzerland and is not being extradited shall be liable to the same penalty. Article 7 paragraphs 4 and 5 apply. 217 Inserted by No I 6 of the FA of 15 June 2012 on Measures against Forced Marriages, in force since 1 July 2013 (AS 2013 1035; BBl 2011 2185). |
Art. 182218
Trafficking in human beings 1 Any person who as a supplier, intermediary or customer engages in the trafficking of a human being for the purpose of sexual exploitation, exploitation of his or her labour or for the purpose of removing an organ shall be liable to a custodial sentence or to a monetary penalty. The soliciting of a person for these purposes is equivalent to trafficking. 2 If the victim is a minor219 or if the offender acts for commercial gain, the penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than one year. 3 In every case, a monetary penalty must also be imposed. 4 Any person who commits the act abroad is also guilty of an offence. Articles 5 and 6 apply. 218Amended by Art. 2 No 1 of the FedD of 24 March 2006 on the Approval and Implementation of the Optional Protocol of 25 May 2000 to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, in force since 1 Dec. 2006 (AS 2006 54375440; BBl 2005 2807). |
Art. 183220
False imprisonment and abduction 1. Any person who unlawfully arrests or holds another prisoner or otherwise unlawfully deprives another of his liberty, any person who, by the use of force, false pretences or threats, abducts another, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. 2. Any person who abducts a person who is incapable of judgement or resistance or who is under the age of sixteen, shall be liable the same penalty. 220Amended by No I of the FA of 9 Oct. 1981, in force since 1 Oct. 1982 (AS 1982 15301534; BBl 1980 I 1241). |
Art. 184221
Aggravating circumstances The penalty for false imprisonment and abduction is a custodial sentence of not less than one year, if the offender attempts to obtain a ransom, if he treats the victim with cruelty, if the deprivation of liberty lasts for a period in excess of ten days or if the health of the victim is seriously endangered. 221Amended by No I of the FA of 9 Oct. 1981, in force since 1 Oct. 1982 (AS 1982 15301534; BBl 1980 I 1241). |
Art. 185222
Hostage taking 1. Any person who deprives another of his liberty, or abducts or otherwise seizes another in order to coerce a third party to carry out an act, abstain from carrying out an act or tolerate an act, any person who exploits a situation created in the foregoing manner by another in order so to coerce a third party, shall be liable to a custodial sentence of not less than one year . 2. The penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than three years if the offender threatens to kill or seriously injure the victim or to treat the victim with cruelty. 3. In particularly serious cases, and in particular if the act involves several victims, the offender shall be liable to a custodial sentence of life. 4. If the offender abandons the coercion and releases the victim, a reduced penalty may be imposed (Art. 48a).223 5. Any person who commits the offence abroad is also liable to the foregoing penalties provided he is arrested in Switzerland and not extradited. Article 7 paragraphs 4 and 5 apply.224 222Amended by No I of the FA of 9 Oct. 1981, in force since 1 Oct. 1982 (AS 1982 15301534; BBl 1980 I 1241). 223 Amended by No II 2 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). 224 Second sentence amended by No II 2 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Art. 185bis225
Enforced disappearance 1 Any person who with the intention of removing a person from the protection of the law for a prolonged period of time:
shall be liable to a custodial sentence of not less than one year. 2 Any person who commits the offence abroad is also liable to the foregoing penalty provided they are now in Switzerland and are not extradited. Article 7 paragraphs 4 and 5 apply. 225 Inserted by Annex 2 No 1 of the FedD of 18 Dec. 2015 on the Approval and Implementation of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, in force since 1 Jan. 2017 (AS 2016 4687; BBl 2014 453). |
Art. 186
Unlawful entry Any person who, against the will of the lawful occupants enters a building, an apartment, a self-contained room within a building, an enclosed area, courtyard or garden forming a direct part of a building, or a clearly demarcated workplace or, despite requests from the lawful occupants to leave, remains in such a location, shall be liable on complaint to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. |
Title Five: Offences against Sexual Integrity226
226Amended by No 1 of the FA of 21 June 1991, in force since 1 Oct. 1992 (AS 1992 16701678; BBl 1985 II 1009). |
Art. 187
1. Endangering the development of minors Sexual acts with children 1. Any person who engages in a sexual act with a child under 16 years of age, or, incites a child to commit such an activity, or involves a child in a sexual act, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. 2. No penalty may be imposed if the difference in age between the persons involved is three years or less. 3. If the offender has not reached the age of 20 at the time of the act or the first of the acts, and if there are special circumstances, or if the child is the spouse or registered partner of the offender, the responsible authority may dispense with prosecution, referral to the court or the imposition of a penalty.227 4. If the offender acts under the misconception that the child is 16 years of age or older, but he would not have made this error had he exercised due care, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. 5. ...228 6. ...229 227 Amended by No I 1 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2013 on Activity Prohibition Orders and Contact Prohibition and Exclusion Orders, in force since 1 Jan. 2015 (AS 2014 2055; BBl 2012 8819). 228Repealed by No I of the FA of 21 March 1997, with effect from 1 Sept. 1997 (AS 1997 1626; BBl 1996 IV 13181322). 229Inserted by No I of the FA of 21 March 1997 (AS 1997 1626; BBl 1996 IV 13181322). Repealed by No I of the FA of 5 Oct. 2001 (Limitation of Right to Prosecute in general and in cases of Sexual Offences against Children), with effect from 1 Oct. 2002 (AS 2002 2993; BBl 2000 2943). |
Art. 188
Sexual acts with dependent persons 1. Any person who commits a sexual act by exploiting his or her relationship with a minor over the age of 16 who is dependent on him due to a relationship arising from the minor's education, care or employment or another form of dependent relationship, any person who encourages such a minor to commit a sexual act by exploiting such a relationship, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2. If the minor is the spouse or registered partner of the offender, the responsible authority may dispense with prosecution, referral to the court or the imposition of a penalty.230 230 Amended by Annex No 18 of the Same-Sex Partnership Act of 18 June 2004, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 20055685; BBl 2003 1288). |
Art. 189
2. Offences against sexual liberty and honour Indecent assault 1 Any person who uses threats, force or psychological pressure on another person or makes that other person incapable of resistance in order to compel him or her to tolerate a sexual act similar to intercourse or any other sexual act shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding ten years or to a monetary penalty. 2 ...231 3 If the offender acts with cruelty, and if in particular he makes use of an offensive weapon or any other dangerous object, the penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than three years.232 231 Repealed by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2003 (Prosecution of Offences within Marriage or Registered Partnerships), with effect from 1 April 2004 (AS 2004 14031407; BBl 2003 19091937). 232 Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2003 (Prosecution of Offences within Marriage or Registered Partnerships), in force since 1 April 2004 (AS 2004 14031407; BBl 2003 19091937). |
Art. 190
Rape 1 Any person who forces a person of the female sex by threats or violence, psychological pressure or by being made incapable of resistance to submit to sexual intercourse shall be liable to a custodial sentence of from one to ten years. 2 ...233 3 If the offender acts with cruelty, and if in particular he makes use of an offensive weapon or any other dangerous object, the penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than three years.234 233 Repealed by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2003 (Prosecution of Offences within Marriage or Registered Partnerships), with effect from 1 April 2004 (AS 2004 14031407; BBl 2003 19091937). 234 Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2003 (Prosecution of Offences within Marriage or Registered Partnerships), in force since 1 April 2004 (AS 2004 14031407; BBl 2003 19091937). |
Art. 191
Sexual acts with persons incapable of judgement or resistance Any person who, in the knowledge that another person is incapable of judgement or resistance, has sexual intercourse with, or commits an act similar to sexual intercourse or any other sexual act on that person shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding ten years or to a monetary penalty. |
Art. 192
Sexual acts with persons in institutional care, prisoners and persons on remand 1 Any person who, by abusing a dependent relationship with a person in institutional care, an inmate of an institution, a prisoner, a detainee or a person on remand, induces the dependent person to commit or submit to a sexual act, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2 If the person harmed is the spouse or registered partner of the offender, the responsible authority may dispense with prosecution, referral to the court or the imposition of a penalty.235 235 Amended by Annex No 18 of the Same-Sex Partnership Act of 18 June 2004, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 20055685; BBl 2003 1288). |
Art. 193
Exploitation of a person in a position of need or dependency 1 Any person who induces another to commit or submit to a sexual act by exploiting a position of need or a dependent relationship based on employment or another dependent relationship shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2 If the person harmed is the spouse or registered partner of the offender, the responsible authority may dispense with prosecution, referral to the court or the imposition of a penalty.236 236 Amended by Annex No 18 of the Same-Sex Partnership Act of 18 June 2004, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 20055685; BBl 2003 1288). |
Art. 194
Indecent conduct 1 Any person who engages in an act of indecent conduct shall be liable on complaint to a monetary penalty.237 2 If the offender undergoes medical treatment, the criminal proceedings may be suspended. They may be resumed if the offender refuses to continue treatment. 237 Penalties revised by No II 1 of the FA of 19 June 2015 (Amendment to the Law on Criminal Sanctions), in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2016 1249; BBl 2012 4721). |
Art. 195238
3. Exploitation of sexual acts Encouraging prostitution Any person who
shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding ten years or to a monetary penalty. 238 Amended by Annex No 1 of the FedD of 27 Sept. 2013 (Lanzarote Convention), in force since 1 July 2014 (AS 2014 1159; BBl 2012 7571). |
Art. 196239
Sexual acts with minors against payment Any person who carries out sexual acts with a minor or induces a minor to carry out such acts and who makes or promises payment in return shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 239 Amended by Annex No 1 of the FedD of 27 Sept. 2013 (Lanzarote Convention), in force since 1 July 2014 (AS 2014 1159; BBl 2012 7571). |
Art. 197240
4. Pornography 1 Any person who offers, shows, passes on or makes accessible to a person under the age of 16 pornographic documents, sound or visual recordings, depictions or other items of a similar nature or pornographic performances, or broadcasts any of the same on radio or television shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2. Any person who exhibits in public items or performances as described in paragraph 1 above or shows or otherwise offers the same unsolicited to others shall be liable to a fine. Any person who, in advance, draws the attention of visitors to private exhibitions or performances to their pornographic character does not commit an offence. 3 Any person who recruits or causes a minor to participate in a pornographic performance shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 4 Any person who produces, imports, stores, markets, advertises, exhibits, offers, shows, passes on or makes accessible to others, acquires, or procures or possesses via electronic media or otherwise items or performances as described in paragraph 1 above that contain sexual acts involving animals, acts of violence involving adults or non-genuine sexual acts with minors shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. If the items or performances contain genuine sexual acts with minors, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or a monetary penalty. 5 Any person who consumes or who for his or her own consumption produces, imports, stores, acquires or procures or possesses via electronic media or otherwise items or performances as described in paragraph 1 above that contain sexual acts involving animals, acts of violence involving adults or non-genuine sexual acts with minors shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding one year or to a monetary penalty. If the items or performances contain genuine sexual acts with minors, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. 6 In the case offences under paragraphs 4 and 5, the items shall be forfeited. 7 If the offender acts for financial gain, the custodial sentence must be combined with a monetary penalty. 8 Minors over the age of 16 are not liable to any penalty if by mutual consent they produce items or performances as described in paragraph 1 above that involve each other, or possess or consume such items or performances. 9 Items or recordings as described in paragraphs 1–5 above are not regarded as pornographic if they have a cultural or scientific value that justifies their protection by law. 240 Amended by Annex No 1 of the FedD of 27 Sept. 2013 (Lanzarote Convention), in force since 1 July 2014 (AS 2014 1159; BBl 2012 7571). |
Art. 198
5. Contraventions against sexual integrity Sexual harassment Any person who causes offence by performing a sexual act in the presence of another who does not expect it, any person who sexually harasses another physically or through the use of indecent language, shall be liable on complaint to a fine. |
Art. 199
Unauthorised practice of prostitution Any person who violates the cantonal regulations on the permitted locations or times at which prostitution may be practised or the manner in which it may be practised, or on the prevention of related public nuisance shall be liable to a fine. |
Art. 200
6. Joint commission Where any person commits an offence under this Title jointly with one or more others, the court may increase the penalty imposed, but may not exceed the standard maximum penalty for the offence by more than an additional half. The court, in imposing the penalty, is bound by the statutory maximum penalty for the type offence in question. |
Art. 201–212241
241These repealed articles have (with the exception of Art. 211) been replaced by Articles 195, 196, 197, 198, 199(see Commentary on Dispatch No 23; BBl 1985 II 1009). Art. 211 has been deleted without replacement. |
Title Six: Felonies and Misdemeanours against the Family |
Art. 213242
Incest 1 Any person who has sexual intercourse with a blood relative in direct line or with a brother or sister, or a half-brother or half-sister shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2 Minors are not liable to any penalty provided they have been induced to commit the act. 3 ...243 242Amended by No I of the FA of 23 June 1989, in force since 1 Jan. 1990 (AS 1989 24492456; BBl 1985 II 1009). 243Repealed by No I of the FA of 5 Oct. 2001 (Limitation of Right to Prosecute in general and in cases of Sexual Offences against Children; AS 2002 2993; BBl 2000 2943). |
Art. 214244
244Repealed by No I of the FA of 23 June 1989, with effect from 1 Oct. 2002 (AS 1989 2449; BBl 1985 II 1009). |
Art. 215245
Bigamy Any person who marries or enters into a registered same-sex partnership when he is already married or living in a registered same-sex partnership, any person who marries or enters into a registered same-sex partnership with a person who is already married or living in a registered same-sex partnership, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 245 Amended by Annex No 18 of the Same-Sex Partnership Act of 18 June 2004, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 20055685; BBl 2003 1288). |
Art. 216246
246 Repealed by No I of the FA of 23 June 1989, with effect from 1 Jan. 1990 (AS 1989 2449; BBl 1985 II 1009).Repealed by No I of the FA of 23 June 1989 (AS 1989 2449; BBl 1985 II 1009). |
Art. 217247
Neglect of duty to support the family 1 Any person who fails to fulfil his or her family law duties to provide maintenance or support although he or she has or could have the means to do so, shall be liable on complaint to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2 The authorities and agencies appointed by the cantons also have the right to file a complaint. In exercising this right, they shall take account of the interests of the family. 247Amended by No I of the FA of 23 June 1989, in force since 1 Jan. 1990 (AS 1989 24492456; BBl 1985 II 1009). |
Art. 218248
248Repealed by No I of the FA of 23 June 1989, with effect from 1 Jan. 1990 (AS 1989 2449; BBl 1985 II 1009). |
Art. 219249
Neglect of duties of care, supervision or education 1 Any person who violates or neglects his or her duties of supervision and education towards a minor and thus endangers the minor's physical or mental development, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2 If the person concerned acts through negligence, a fine may be imposed instead of a custodial sentence or a monetary penalty.250 249Amended by No I of the FA of 23 June 1989, in force since 1 Jan. 1990 (AS 1989 24492456; BBl 1985 II 1009). 250 Penalties revised by No II 1 para. 16 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Art. 220251
Abduction of minors Any person who removes a minor from or refuses to return a minor to the person holding the right to decide on the minor's place of residence shall be liable on complaint to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 251 Amended by Annex No 4 of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Parental Responsibility), in force since 1 July 2014 (AS 2014 357; BBl 2011 9077). |
Title Seven: Felonies and Misdemeanours constituting a Public Danger |
Art. 221
Arson 1 Any person who wilfully causes a fire and thus does damage to another or causes a danger to the public shall be liable to a custodial sentence of not less than one year. 2 If the offender wilfully endangers the life and limb of others, the penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than three years. 3 If the damage caused is minor, the penalty may be reduced to a custodial sentence of up to three years or to a monetary penalty. |
Art. 222
Negligent arson 1 Any person who causes a fire through negligence and thus does damage to another or causes a danger to the public shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2 If the offender through negligence endangers the life and limb of others, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Art. 223
Causing an explosion 1. Any person who wilfully causes an explosion involving gas, petrol, paraffin or a similar substance and thus knowingly endangers the life and limb or property of others shall be liable to a custodial sentence of not less than one year. If only minor loss, damage or injury is caused, a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty may be imposed. 2. If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Art. 224
Misuse of explosives and toxic gases with criminal intent 1 Any person who wilfully and with criminal intent endangers the life and limb or the property of others through the use of explosives or toxic gases shall be liable to a custodial sentence of not less than one year. 2 If only an insignificant danger to property is caused, a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty may be imposed. |
Art. 225
Misuse of explosives or toxic gases without criminal intent or through negligence 1 Any person who wilfully but without criminal intent endangers the life and limb or the property of others through the use of explosives or toxic gases shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. 2 In minor cases, a fine may be imposed. |
Art. 226
Manufacture, concealment and transport of explosives and toxic gases 1 Any person who manufactures explosives or toxic gases that he knows or must assume are intended to be used to commit a felony shall be liable to a custodial sentence of at least six months and no more than ten years.252 2 Any person who procures, passes on to another, accepts from another, safeguards, conceals or transports explosives, toxic gases or substances suitable for their manufacture shall be liable, if he knows or must assume that they are intended to be used to commit a felony, to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty of not less than 30 daily penalty units253. 3 Any person who instructs another person on how to manufacture explosives or toxic gases when he knows or must assume that that person is planning to use the explosives or toxic gases to commit a felony shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty of not less than 30 daily penalty units. 252 Penalties revised by No II 1 of the FA of 19 June 2015 (Amendment to the Law on Criminal Sanctions), in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2016 1249; BBl 2012 4721). 253Term in accordance with No II 1 para. 14 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). This amendment has been taken into account throughout the Second Book. |
Art. 226bis254
Causing danger by means of nuclear energy, radioactivity or ionising radiation 1 Any person who wilfully causes serious danger to the life or the health of people or to the property of others by means of nuclear energy, radioactive substances or ionising radiation shall be liable to a custodial sentence or a monetary penalty. A custodial sentence must be combined with a monetary penalty. 2 If the offender acts through negligence, he shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. A custodial sentence must be combined with a monetary penalty. 254Inserted by Annex No II 2 of the Nuclear Energy Act of 21 March 2003, in force since 1 Feb. 2005 (RO 20044719; BBl 20012665). |
Art. 226ter255
Preparatory offences 1 Any person who systematically carries out specific technical or organisational preparations for acts intended to cause danger to the life or the health of people or to the property of others by means of nuclear energy, radioactive substances or ionising radiation of substantial value shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. A custodial sentence must be combined with a monetary penalty. 2 Any person who manufactures, procures, passes on to another, accepts from another, stores, conceals or transports radioactive substances, equipment, apparatus or articles that contain radioactive substances or may emit ionising radiation shall be liable, if he knows or must assume that they are intended for unlawful use, to a custodial sentence not exceeding ten years or to a monetary penalty. A custodial sentence must be combined with a monetary penalty. 3 Any person who instructs another person on how to manufacture such substances, equipment, apparatus or articles shall be liable, if he knows or must assume that they are intended for unlawful use, to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. A custodial sentence must be combined with a monetary penalty. 255Inserted by Annex No II 2 of the Nuclear Energy Act of 21 March 2003, in force since 1 Feb. 2005 (RO 20044719; BBl 20012665). |
Art. 227
Causing a flood, collapse or landslide 1. Any person who wilfully causes a flood, the collapse of a structure or a landslide or rock fall and thus knowingly endangers the life and limb of people or the property of others shall be liable to a custodial sentence of not less than one year. If only minor loss, damage or injury is caused, a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty may be imposed. 2. If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Art. 228
Criminal damage to electrical installations, and hydraulic or protective structures 1. Any person who wilfully damages or destroys electrical installations, hydraulic structures such as dams, weirs, dikes, and floodgates, structures erected to provide protection against natural forces such as landslides or avalanches, and thus knowingly endangers the life and limb of people or the property of others, shall be liable to a custodial sentence of not less than one year. If only minor loss, damage or injury is caused, a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty may be imposed. 2. If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Art. 229
Violation of construction regulations 1 Any person engaged in the management or execution of construction or demolition work who wilfully disregards the accepted rules of construction and as a result knowingly endangers the life and limb of others shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. The custodial sentence must be combined with a monetary penalty. 2 If the offender disregards the accepted rules of construction through negligence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Art. 230
Removal or non-installation of safety devices 1. Any person who wilfully damages, destroys, removes, otherwise renders unusable or deactivates a safety device which serves to prevent accidents in a factory or other commercial premises or on a machine, who wilfully fails to install such a device in violation of the regulations, and thus knowingly endangers the life and limb of other people, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. The custodial sentence must be combined with a monetary penalty. 2. If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Title Eight: Felonies and Misdemeanours against Public Health |
Art. 230bis256
Causing danger by means of genetically modified or pathogenic organisms 1 Any person who wilfully releases genetically modified or pathogenic organisms or the disrupts the operation of a facility for the research into, or the safeguarding, production or transport of such organisms shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding ten years, provided he knows or must assume that through his acts:
2 If the offender acts through negligence, he shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 256 Inserted by Annex No 1 of the Gene Technology Act of 21 March 2003, in force since 1 Jan. 2004 (RO 20034803; BBl 20002391). |
Art. 231257
Transmission of human diseases 1. Any person who maliciously transmits a dangerous communicable human disease shall be liable to a custodial sentence of from one to five years. 257 Amended by Art. 86 No 1 of the Epidemics Act of 28 Sept. 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2016 (AS 2015 1435; BBl 2011 311). |
Art. 232
Transmission of an epizootic disease 1. Any person who wilfully causes the transmission of an epizootic disease among domestic animals shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. If the offender maliciously causes serious loss, damage or injury, the penalty is a custodial sentence of from one to five years. 2. If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Art. 233
Propagation of harmful parasites 1. Any person who wilfully propagates a parasite or micro-organism that constitutes a danger to agriculture or forestry, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. If the offender maliciously causes serious loss, damage or injury, the penalty is a custodial sentence of from one to five years. 2. If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Art. 234
Contamination of drinking water 1 Any person who wilfully contaminates drinking water intended for people or domestic animals with substances that are damaging to health shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty of not less than 30 daily penalty units. 2 If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Art. 235
Production of harmful animal feed 1. Any person who wilfully produces or treats animal feed or feedstuffs for domestic animals in such a way that they constitute a danger to the health of animals shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. If the offender carries on a commercial operation to produce or treat animal feed that is harmful to animals, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty of not less than 30 daily penalty units. A custodial sentence must be combined with a monetary penalty.258 In such cases, public notice is given of the conviction. 2. If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a fine. 3. The products are forfeited. They may be rendered harmless or destroyed. 258 Penalties revised by No II 1 para. 16 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Art. 236
Marketing of harmful animal feed 1 Any person who wilfully imports, stores, offers for sale or markets animal feed or animal feedstuffs that constitute a danger to animals shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. Public notice is given of the conviction. 2 If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a fine. 3 The products are forfeited. They may be rendered harmless or destroyed. |
Felonies and Misdemeanours against Public Traffic |
Art. 237
Disruption of public traffic 1. Any person who wilfully obstructs, disrupts or endangers public traffic, in particular traffic on the roads, on water or in the air and as a result knowingly causes danger to the life and limb of other people shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. If the offender thus knowingly endangers the life and limb of a large number of people, a custodial sentence of from one to ten years may be imposed. 2. If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Art. 238
Disruption of rail traffic 1 Any person who wilfully obstructs, disrupts or endangers railway services and as a result causes danger to the life, limb or property of other people, and in particular the danger of derailment or collision shall be liable to a custodial sentence or to a monetary penalty259. 2 If the person concerned acts through negligence and as a result causes serious danger to the life, limb or property of other people the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. 259Term in accordance with No II 1 para. 15 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). This amendment has been taken into account throughout the Second Book. |
Art. 239
Disruption of public services 1. Any person who wilfully obstructs, disrupts or endangers the operation of a public service and in particular the railway, postal, telegraphic or telephone services, any person who wilfully obstructs, disrupts or endangers the operation of a public utility or installation which provides water, light, power or heat, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2. If the person concerned acts through negligence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. |
Title Ten: Counterfeiting of Money, Official Stamps, Official Marks, Weights and Measures |
Art. 240
Counterfeiting money 1 Any person who counterfeits coins, paper money or banknotes in order to pass these off as genuine shall be liable to a custodial sentence of not less than one year. 2 In particularly minor cases, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. 3 The offender is also liable to the foregoing penalties if he committed the act abroad, has entered Switzerland and is not being extradited, provided the act is also an offence at the place of commission. |
Art. 241
Falsification of money 1 Any person who alters coins, paper money or bank notes in order to pass these off at a value higher than their true value shall be liable to a custodial sentence of at least six months and no more than five years.260 2 In particularly minor cases, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. 260 Penalties revised by No II 1 of the FA of 19 June 2015 (Amendment to the Law on Criminal Sanctions), in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2016 1249; BBl 2012 4721). |
Art. 242
Passing or tendering counterfeit money 1 Any person who passes or tenders counterfeit or falsified coins, paper money or bank notes as genuine money shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty261. 2 If the offender, the person instructing him or his agent accepted the coins or banknotes on the understanding that they were genuine or not falsified, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty. 261Term in accordance with No II 1 para. 2 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). This amendment has been taken into account throughout the Second Book. |
Art. 243262
Imitation of bank notes, coins or official stamps without intent to commit forgery 1 Any person who, without the intention of committing the offence of forgery, reproduces or imitates bank notes and thus creates the risk that persons or machines will confuse such notes with genuine notes, in particular if the overall appearance, one side or the greater part of one side of a bank note reproduces or imitates a material and a size that is identical or similar to the material and size of the original, any person who, without the intention of committing the offence of forgery, produces objects which in their appearance, weight and size are similar to coins in circulation, or which show the nominal value or other characteristics of coins which have been officially struck, and thus creates the risk that persons or machines will confuse such coins with coins which are in circulation, any person who, without the intention of committing the offence of forgery reproduces or imitates official stamps and thus creates the risk that such stamps will be confused with genuine stamps, any person who imports, offers or puts into circulation such objects articles, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty.263 2 If the person concerned acts through negligence, he shall be liable to a fine.264 262 Amended by Annex No 3 of the FA of 22 Dec. 1999 on Currency and Payment Instruments, in force since 1 May 2000 (AS 2000 1144; BBl 1999 7258). 263 Penalties revised by No II 1 para. 16 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). 264 Penalties revised by No II 1 para. 16 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Art. 244
Import, acquisition and storage of counterfeit money 1 Any person who imports, acquires or stores counterfeit or falsified coins, paper money or bank notes in order to pass these off as genuine or non-falsified shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty.265 2 Any person who imports, acquires or stores such money on a large scale shall be liable to a custodial sentence of from one to five years. 265 Amended by Annex No 3 of the FA of 22 Dec. 1999 on Currency and Payment Instruments, in force since 1 May 2000 (AS 2000 1144; BBl 1999 7258). |
Art. 245
Forgery of official stamps 1. Any person who forges or falsifies official stamps, and in particular postage stamps, revenue stamps or fee stamps, in order to pass these off as genuine or non-falsified, any person who gives cancelled official value stamps the appearance of being valid in order to pass them off as such, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. The offender is also liable to the foregoing penalties if he committed the act abroad, has entered Switzerland and is not being extradited, provided the act is also an offence at the place of commission. 2. Any person who passes off forged, falsified or cancelled official stamps as genuine, non-falsified or valid shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. |
Art. 246
Forgery of official marks Any person who forges or falsifies an official mark which the authorities affix to an object to confirm the result of an inspection or the granting of approval such as hallmarks, or marks stamped on goods by meat inspectors, marks stamped by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security, with the intention of passing the mark off as genuine,266 any person who passes off such forged or falsified marks as genuine or non-falsified, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 266 Amended by No I 6 of the O of 12 June 2020 on the Amendment of Legislation as a consequence of the Change in the Name of the Federal Customs Administration as part of its further Development, in force since 1 Jan. 2022 (AS 2020 2743). |
Art. 247
Counterfeiting equipment and unlawful use of equipment Any person who constructs or acquires equipment for the forgery or falsification of coins, paper money, bank notes or official stamps in order to make unlawful use of such equipment, any person who makes unlawful use of equipment which is used for the production of coins, paper money, bank notes or official stamps, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. |
Art. 248
Falsification of weights and measures Any person who, in order to deceive others in trade or commerce, attaches a false calibration mark to weights and measures, scales or other measuring instruments or falsifies an existing calibration mark, makes alterations to weights and measures, scales or other measuring instruments, or makes use of forged or falsified weights and measures, scales or other measuring instruments, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. |
Art. 249267
Forfeiture 1 Forged or falsified coins, paper money, banknotes, official stamps, official marks, weights and measures, scales or other measuring instruments as well as the counterfeiting equipment is forfeited and rendered unusable or destroyed. 2 Banknotes, coins or official stamps that have been reproduced, imitated or produced without the intent to commit forgery, but which create a risk of confusion, are also forfeited and rendered unusable or destroyed. 267 Amended by Annex No 3 of the FA of 22 Dec. 1999 on Currency and Payment Instruments, in force since 1 May 2000 (AS 2000 1144; BBl 1999 7258). |
Title Eleven: Forgery |
Art. 251268
Forgery of a document 1. Any person who with a view to causing financial loss or damage to the rights of another or in order to obtain an unlawful advantage for himself or another, produces a false document, falsifies a genuine document, uses the genuine signature or mark of another to produce a false document, falsely certifies or causes to be falsely certified a fact of legal significance or, makes use of a false or falsified document in order to deceive, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. 2. In particularly minor cases, a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty may be imposed. 268Amended by No I of the FA of 17 June 1994, in force since 1 Jan. 1995 (AS 1994 22902307; BBl 1991 II 969). |
Art. 252269
Forgery of certificates Any person who with the intention of furthering his own position or that of another, forges or falsifies identity documents, references, or certificates, uses such a document in order to deceive another, or uses a genuine document of this nature but which does not apply to him in order to deceive another, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 269Amended by No I of the FA of 17 June 1994, in force since 1 Jan. 1995 (AS 1994 22902307; BBl 1991 II 969). |
Art. 253
Obtaining a false certificate by fraud Any person who by fraudulent means causes a public official or a person acting in an official capacity to certify an untrue fact of substantial legal significance, and in particular to certify a false signature or an incorrect copy as genuine, or any person who makes use of a document obtained by fraud in this way in order to deceive another as to the fact certified therein, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. |
Art. 254
Suppression of documents 1 Any person who damages, destroys, conceals or misappropriates a document over which he has no exclusive right of disposal, with a view to causing financial loss or damage to the rights of another or in order to obtain an unlawful advantage for himself or another shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. 2 The suppression of documents to the detriment of a relative or family member is prosecuted only on complaint. |
Art. 256
Moving of boundary markers Any person who, with the intention of causing financial loss or damaging the rights of another or of obtaining an unlawful advantage for himself or another, removes, moves, renders unrecognisable, falsely positions or falsifies a boundary stone or other boundary marker shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. |
Art. 257
Removal of survey points and water level indicators Any person who removes, moves, renders unrecognisable or falsely positions a public survey point or water level indicator shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. |
Title Twelve: Felonies and Misdemeanours against Public Order |
Art. 258270
Causing fear and alarm among the general public Any person who causes fear and alarm among the general public by threatening or feigning a danger to life, limb or property shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 270Amended by No I of the FA of 17 June 1994, in force since 1 Jan. 1995 (AS 1994 22902307; BBl 1991 II 969). |
Art. 259271
Public incitement to commit a felony or act of violence 1 Any person who publicly incites others to commit a felony shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 1bis Public incitement to commit genocide (Art. 264), where the intention is for the act to be carried out exclusively or partly in Switzerland, is also an offence if the incitement occurs outside Switzerland.272 2 Any person who publicly incites others to commit a misdemeanour that involves violence against other persons or property shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 271Amended by No I of the FA of 9 Oct. 1981, in force since 1 Oct. 1982 (AS 1982 15301534; BBl 1980 I 1241). 272 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 18 June 2010 on the Amendment of Federal Legislation in Implementation of the Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 4963; BBl 2008 3863). |
Art. 260
Rioting 1 Any person who takes part in a riotous assembly in public in the course of which acts of violence are committed against persons and property by the use of united force shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2 Participants who remove themselves when officially ordered to do so are not held to have committed an offence if they have not used violence or encouraged others to do so. |
Art. 260bis273
Acts preparatory to the commission of an offence 1 Any person who, in accordance with a plan, carries out specific technical or organisational measures, the nature and extent of which indicate that the offender intends to commit any of the offences listed below shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty:
2 If the offender, of his own volition, does not complete the preparatory act, he is not liable to any penalty. 3 It is also an offence for any person to carry out a preparatory act abroad, provided it was intended to commit the offences in Switzerland. Article 3 paragraph 2 applies.277 273Inserted by No I of the FA of 9 Oct. 1981, in force since 1 Oct. 1982 (AS 1982 15301534; BBl 1980 I 1241). 274 Inserted by No I of the FA of 30 Sept. 2011 in force since 1 July 2012 (AS 20122575; BBl 2010 56515677). 275 Inserted by Annex 2 No 1 of the FedD of 18 Dec. 2015 on the Approval and Implementation of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, in force since 1 Jan. 2017 (AS 2016 4687; BBl 2014 453). 276 Amended by No I 1 of the FA of 18 June 2010 on the Amendment of Federal Legislation in Implementation of the Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 4963; BBl 2008 3863). 277 Wording of the sentence in accordance with No II 2 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Art. 260ter278
Criminal or terrorist organisation 1 Any person who:
shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding ten years or to a monetary penalty. 2 Paragraph 1 letter b does not apply to humanitarian services provided by an impartial humanitarian organisation, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, in accordance with the common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949279. 3 If the offender exercises a decisive influence within the organisation, he or she shall be liable to a custodial sentence of not less than three years. 4 The court has the discretion to mitigate the penalty imposed 5 The foregoing penalties also apply to any person who commits the offence outside Switzerland provided the organisation carries out or intends to carry out its criminal activities wholly or partly in Switzerland. Article 7 paragraphs 4 and 5 applies. 278Inserted by No I of the FA of 18 March 1994 (AS 1994 16141618; BBl 1993 III 277). Amended by Annex No II 2 of the FedD of 25 Sept. 2020 on the Approval and Implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol and the Strengthening of Criminal Justice Instruments for combating Terrorism and Organised Crime, in force since 1 July 2021 (AS 2021 360; BBl 2018 6427). |
Art. 260quater280
Endangering public safety with weapons Any person who sells, hires, gifts, hands over or procures firearms, weapons prohibited by law, essential components of weapons, weapons accessories, ammunition or components of ammunition, although he knows or must assume that the weapons are intended to be used to commit a felony or misdemeanour shall be liable, provided his activities do not constitute a more serious offence, to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty.281 280 Inserted by Art. 41 of the Weapons Act of 20 June 1997, in force since 1 Jan. 1999 (AS 1998 2535; BBl 1996 I 1053). 281 New designation of criminal penalties in accordance with No II 1 para. 16 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Art. 260quinquies282
Financing terrorism 1 Any person who collects or provides funds with a view to financing a violent crime that is intended to intimidate the public or to coerce a state or international organisation into carrying out or not carrying out an act shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty. 2 If the person merely acknowledges the possibility that the funds may be used to finance terrorism, he is not liable to a penalty under this Article. 3 The act does not constitute the financing of a terrorist offence if it is carried out with a view to establishing or re-establishing a democratic regime or a state governed by the rule of law or with a view to exercising or safeguarding human rights. 4 Paragraph 1 does not apply if the financing is intended to support acts that do not violate the rules of international law on the conduct of armed conflicts. 282 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 21 March 2003 (Financing of Terrorism), in force since 1 Oct. 2003 (AS 2003 30433047; BBl 2002 5390). |
Art. 260sexies283
Recruiting, training and travelling with a view to committing a terrorist offence 1 Any person who, with a view to committing a violent felony aimed at intimidating the population or coercing a State or an international organisation to act or refrain from acting,
2 The same penalty shall apply to any person who collects or provides assets with the intention of financing a journey in accordance with paragraph 1 letter c, or any person who organises or recruits others to make such a journey. 3 Any person who carries out any of the foregoing acts outside Switzerland shall also be liable to prosecution if he or she is in Switzerland and is not extradited or if the terrorist offence is to be committed in or against Switzerland. Article 7 paragraphs 4 and 5 apply. 283 Inserted by Annex No II 2 of the FedD of 25 Sept. 2020 on the Approval and Implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol and the Strengthening of Criminal Justice Instruments for combating Terrorism and Organised Crime, in force since 1 July 2021 (AS 2021 360; BBl 2018 6427). |
Art. 261
Attack on the freedom of faith and the freedom to worship Any person who publicly and maliciously insults or mocks the religious convictions of others, and in particularly their belief in God, or maliciously desecrates objects of religious veneration, any person who maliciously prevents, disrupts or publicly mocks an act of worship, the conduct of which is guaranteed by the Constitution, or any person who maliciously desecrates a place or object that is intended for a religious ceremony or an act of worship the conduct of which is guaranteed by the Constitution, shall be liable to a monetary penalty.284 284 Penalties revised by No II 1 of the FA of 19 June 2015 (Amendment to the Law on Criminal Sanctions), in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2016 1249; BBl 2012 4721). |
Art. 261bis285
Discrimination and incitement to hatred Any person who publicly incites hatred or discrimination against a person or a group of persons on the grounds of their race, ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation, any person who publicly disseminates ideologies that have as their object the systematic denigration or defamation of that person or group of persons, any person who with the same objective organises, encourages or participates in propaganda campaigns, any person who publicly denigrates or discriminates against another or a group of persons on the grounds of their race, ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation in a manner that violates human dignity, whether verbally, in writing or pictorially, by using gestures, through acts of aggression or by other means, or any person who on any of these grounds denies, trivialises or seeks justification for genocide or other crimes against humanity, any person who refuses to provide a service to another on the grounds of that person’s race, ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation when that service is intended to be provided to the general public, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 285Inserted by Art. 1 of the FA of 18 June 1993 (AS 1994 2887; BBl 1992 III 269). Amended by No I 1 of the FA of 14 Dec. 2018 (Discrimination and Incitement to Hatred on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation), in force since 1 July 2020 (AS 2020 1609; BBl 2018 37735231). |
Art. 262
Disturbing the peace of the dead 1. Any person who desecrates the resting place of a dead person, Any person who maliciously disrupts or desecrates a funeral procession or funeral ceremony, Any person who desecrates or publicly insults a dead body, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. 2. Any person who removes a dead body or part of a dead body or the ashes of a dead person against the will of those entitled thereto shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty. |
Art. 263
Committing an offence while in a state of voluntarily induced mental incapacity 1 Any person who is incapable of forming criminal intent as a result of voluntarily induced intoxication through alcohol or drugs, and while in this state commits an act punishable as a felony or misdemeanour shall be liable to a monetary penalty.286 2 If the offender has, in this self-induced state, committed an act for which the only penalty is a custodial sentence, the penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty.287 286 Penalties revised by No II 1 of the FA of 19 June 2015 (Amendment to the Law on Criminal Sanctions), in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2016 1249; BBl 2012 4721). 287 Amended by No II 1 para. 16 of the FA of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 34593535; BBl 1999 1979). |
Title Twelve : Genocide and Crimes against Humanitybis288
288 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2000 (AS 2000 2725; BBl 19995327). Amended by No I 1 of the FA of 18 June 2010 on the Amendment of Federal Legislation in Implementation of the Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 4963; BBl 2008 3863). |
Art. 264
Genocide 1 The penalty is a custodial sentence of life or a custodial sentence of not less than ten years for any person who with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a group of persons characterised by their nationality, race, religion or ethnic, social or political affiliation:
|
Art. 264a
Crimes against humanity a. Intentional homicide b. Extermination c. Enslavement d. False imprisonment e. Enforced disappearance of persons f. Torture g. Violation of sexual rights h. Deportation or forcible transfer i. Persecution and apartheid j. Other inhumane acts 1 The penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than five years for any person who, as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population:
2In especially serious cases, and in particular where the offence affects a number of persons or the offender acts in a cruel manner, a custodial sentence of life may be imposed. 3In less serious cases under paragraph 1 letters c–j, a custodial sentence of not less than one year may be imposed. |
Title Twelve : War Crimester289
289 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 18 June 2010 on the Amendment of Federal Legislation in Implementation of the Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 4963; BBl 2008 3863). |
Art. 264c
2. Serious violations of the Geneva Conventions 1 The penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than five years for any person who commits a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949290 in connection with an international armed conflict by carrying out any of the following acts against persons or property protected under the Conventions:
2 Acts in terms of paragraph 1 committed in connection with a non-international armed conflict are equivalent to serious violations of international humanitarian law if they are directed against a person or property protected by international humanitarian law. 3 In especially serious cases, and in particular where the offence affects a number of persons or the offender acts in a cruel manner, a custodial sentence of life may be imposed. 4 In less serious cases under paragraph 1 letters c–g, a custodial sentence of not less than one year may be imposed. 290 Geneva Convention of 12 Aug. 1949 for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (GA I), SR 0.518.12; Geneva Convention of 12 Aug. 1949 for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea (GA II), SR 0.518.23; Geneva Convention of 12 Aug. 1949 relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (GA III), SR 0.518.42; Geneva Convention of 12 Aug. 1949 relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (GA IV), SR 0.518.51. |
Art. 264d
3. Other war crimes a. Attacks on civilians and civilian objects 1 The penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than three years for any person who in connection with an armed conflict directs an attack:
2 In especially serious cases of attacks on persons, a custodial sentence of life may be imposed. 3 In less serious cases, a custodial sentence of not less than one year may be imposed. |
Art. 264e
b. Unjustified medical treatment, violation of sexual rights and human dignity 1 The penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than three years for any person who, in connection with an armed conflict:
2 In especially serious cases, and in particular where the offence affects a number of persons or the offender acts in a cruel manner, a custodial sentence of life may be imposed. 3 In less serious cases, a custodial sentence of not less than one year may be imposed. |
Art. 264f
c. Recruitment and use of child soldiers 1 The penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than three years for any person who enlists a child under the age of fifteen into armed forces or groups or recruiting them for this purpose or using them to participate in armed conflicts. 2 In especially serious cases, and in particular where the offence affects a number of children or the offender acts in a cruel manner, a custodial sentence of life may be imposed 3 In less serious cases, a custodial sentence of not less than one year may be imposed. |
Art. 264g
d. Prohibited methods of warfare 1 The penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than three years for any person who, in connection with an armed conflict:
2 In especially serious cases, and in particular where the offence affects a number of persons or the offender acts in a cruel manner, a custodial sentence of life may be imposed. 3 In less serious cases, a custodial sentence of not less than one year may be imposed. |
Art. 264h
e. Use of prohibited weapons 1 The penalty is a custodial sentence of not less than three years for any person who, in connection with an armed conflict:
2 In especially serious cases, a custodial sentence of life may be imposed |
Art. 264i
4. Violation of a ceasefire or peace agreement. Offences against a peace negotiator. Delayed repatriation of prisoners of war The penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty for any person who:
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Art. 264j
5. Other violations of international humanitarian law The penalty is a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty for any person who in connection with an armed conflict violates a provision of international humanitarian law other than those mentioned in Articles 264c–264i, where such a violation is declared to be an offence under customary international law or an international treaty recognised as binding by Switzerland. |