Decree-Law No. 267/SL On Punishing Plots and Actions to Destroy State and People's Property Impeding the Implementation of State Policies and Plans

DECREE

CHAIRMAN'S DECREE NO. 267/SL

HA NOI, JUNE 15, 1956

THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Pursuant to Decree No. 133-SL dated January 20, 1953 on punishing those who undermine national security,

At the proposal of the Ministry of Justice,

In accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers, after consultation with the Standing Committee of the National Assembly,

ISSUES THE DECREE:

Article 1

The construction of the economy and culture of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam serves the interests of the entire people. Anyone who undermines this endeavor harms the people.

To contribute to protecting the construction of the economy and culture, this decree is hereby issued to punish schemes and actions that destroy or damage state property, cooperative property, and people's property, obstructing the implementation of economic and cultural development policies and plans.

I - Offenses and Punishments

Article 2

Whoever, for the purpose of sabotage, steals, wastes, damages, destroys, or robs state property, cooperative property, and people's property shall be sentenced to imprisonment from five to twenty years.

Article 3

Whoever, for the purpose of sabotage, discloses, steals, buys, or spies on state secrets shall be sentenced to imprisonment from five to twenty years.

Article 4

Whoever, for the purpose of sabotage, obstructs the implementation of state economic and cultural policies and plans through any means such as: spreading propaganda against policies and plans, spreading false rumors causing public doubt and panic; acting against policies and plans; failing to perform or performing incorrectly their assigned tasks; disrupting regular operations; hindering the development of a sector or industry; creating conflicts and divisions among workers, officials, cadres, members of cooperatives, or between the people and cadres, etc., shall be sentenced to imprisonment from five to twenty years.

Article 5

Whoever commits offenses as stipulated in Articles 2, 3, and 4 and falls under any of the following circumstances:

a) Being the mastermind or leader of a sabotage organization;

b) Causing significant damage;

c) Using extremely cunning methods;

d) Sabotaging public works directly related to people's lives;

may be sentenced to life imprisonment or death.

Article 6

Whoever commits offenses as stipulated in Articles 2, 3, 4, and 5, in addition to the aforementioned punishments, must also compensate for losses, have part or all of their property confiscated, and lose their civil rights.

, Clause 1, Clause 2 Article 7a of this Regulation.

Whoever, out of greed or personal gain, commits offenses as stipulated in Articles 2, 3, and 4, causing damage to state property, cooperative property, and people's property, obstructing the implementation of state policies and plans, shall be sentenced to imprisonment from one to five years.

Article 8

Whoever commits the offense as stipulated in Article 7 and falls under any of the following circumstances:

a) Being the mastermind or leader of a criminal act;

b) Causing significant damage;

c) Using extremely cunning methods;

d) Sabotaging public works directly related to people's lives;

e) Taking advantage of their position to commit a crime; may be sentenced to up to twenty years' imprisonment or life imprisonment.

In cases where particularly serious damage is caused, the offender may be sentenced to death.

Article 9

Whoever commits offenses as stipulated in Articles 7 and 8, in addition to the aforementioned punishments, must also compensate for losses, may have part or all of their property confiscated, and may lose their civil rights.

Article 10

Whoever, due to lack of responsibility, causes waste, damage to machinery, equipment, raw materials, leaks state secrets, or causes accidents in their work, resulting in serious damage to state property, cooperative property, and people's property, obstructing the implementation of state policies and plans, shall be sentenced to imprisonment from three months to two years.

If the offender is responsible for the work, they may be sentenced to up to five years' imprisonment.

In cases of particularly serious damage, the offender may be sentenced to up to twenty years' imprisonment or life imprisonment and must compensate for losses.

II - General Provisions

Article 11

Whoever commits offenses as stipulated above and falls under any of the following circumstances:

a) The criminal act has not been discovered but the person voluntarily and truthfully confesses their crimes and those of their accomplices;

clearly disclosing their schemes and actions;

b) Has been arrested but before being brought to trial, sincerely repents and makes meritorious contributions to atoning for their crimes;

c) Committed a crime under duress or deception;

may be granted leniency (reduced sentence, released, exempted from prosecution, compensation, or confiscation).

A person who, after truthfully confessing their crime, makes meritorious contributions in reporting criminal acts may be rewarded.

Article 12

For those who commit offenses as stipulated in Article 7 and Paragraph 1 and 2 of Article 10, sentenced to no more than two years' imprisonment, in certain special cases prescribed by the Prime Minister, the court may grant probation.

Article 13

Whoever commits other acts of sabotage not specified in this decree shall be tried according to similar offenses.

Article 14

Citizens have the duty to report or secretly inform relevant authorities about criminal acts and provide full assistance in investigation and trial, but they must not falsely accuse others out of personal grudges or benefits. Those who make meritorious contributions in reporting, uncovering criminal acts, and apprehending offenders will be rewarded.

Article 15

Any provisions contrary to this decree are abolished.

Article 16

The Prime Minister shall issue detailed regulations to implement this decree.

Article 17

The Prime Minister is responsible for implementing this Decree.