Decree No. 26 On the Prosecution of Acts of Destroying Public Property

DECREE-LAW

No. 26 dated February 25, 1946

CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Pursuant to the Imperial Edict of June 13, 1945 concerning the prosecution of communist sabotage;

Pursuant to the Decree-Law of January 15, 1946 concerning the prosecution of those committing theft or destruction of telephone and telegraph lines;

At the proposal of the Minister of Justice;

After deliberation by the Council of Ministers,

ENACTS THE FOLLOWING DECREE:

Article 1: Those who commit any of the following offenses, whether as principal or accomplice, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term ranging from two to ten years and may be sentenced to death:

1. Intentionally damaging part or all of bridges, canals, rivers, irrigation ditches, railways, railway structures, public or private roads, both land and waterways, dykes, government offices, warehouses, or power plants;

2. Intentionally destroying or stealing telephone or telegraph lines, as well as poles and wires thereof;

3. Placing in the aforementioned locations any machinery or devices capable of being used to kill people, set fire to property, or cause destruction.

Article 2: Those who store telephone or telegraph lines shall be punished like those who steal such items.

Article 3: The offenses mentioned in Articles 1 and 2 above shall be prosecuted and tried as serious crimes.

Article 4: This Decree-Law does not apply to acts of destruction aimed at enemy forces by the Vietnamese nation.

Article 5: The Imperial Edict of June 13, 1945 concerning the prosecution of communist sabotage and the Decree-Law of January 15, 1946 concerning the punishment of those committing theft or destruction of telephone or telegraph lines are hereby repealed.

Article 6: The Ministers of Justice, National Defense, and Public Works shall enforce this Decree-Law.