Enacted parts

ARTICLE 312-6-1
(Inserted by Act no. 2004-204 of 9 March 2004 article 12 XIII Official Journal of 10 March 2004)
Any person who has attempted to commit extortion acting in an organised gang, as provided for by article 312-6, is
exempted from punishment if, by alerting the legal or administrative authorities, he has prevented the commission of the
offence, and, if applicable, has identified any other perpetrators or accomplices.
The custodial sentence incurred by a perpetrator or accomplice to the offence of extortion acting in an organised
gang is reduced by half if, by alerting the legal or administrative authorities, he has allowed the offence to be stopped or
has prevented it from resulting in loss of life or permanent disability, and, where relevant, has identified any other
perpetrators or accomplices. Where the sentence incurred is life criminal imprisonment, this is reduced to twenty years'
criminal imprisonment.
ARTICLE 312-7
(Ordinance no. 2000-916 of 19 September 2000 Article 3 Official Journal of 22 September 2000 in force 1 January
2002)
Extortion is punished by criminal imprisonment for life and a fine of €150,000 when it is preceded, accompanied or
followed either by acts of violence causing death, or acts of torture or barbarity.
The first two paragraphs of article 132-23 governing the safety period are applicable to the offence set out under the
present article.
ARTICLE 312-7-1
(Inserted by Act no. 2004-204 of 9 March 2004 article 6 IX Official Journal of 10 March 2004)
Being unable to account for resources corresponding to one's lifestyle when habitually in close contact with one or
more persons who have committed the offences provided for by articles 312-6 and 312-7, or facilitating the justification
of fictitious resources for the same people, is punished by ten years' imprisonment and a fine of €150,000.
ARTICLE 312-8
For the purpose of articles 312-2, 312-3, 312-4, 312-6 and 312-7 extortion followed by acts of violence committed to
assist an escape or to ensure the impunity of a perpetrator or an accomplice constitutes extorsion followed by violence.
ARTICLE 312-9
Attempt to commit the misdemeanours set out under this Section of the present Code is subject to the same
penalties.
The provisions of article 311-12 are applicable to offences defined by the present Section.
SECTION II
OF BLACKMAIL
Articles 312-10 to
312-12
ARTICLE 312-10
(Ordinance no. 2000-916 of 19 September 2000 Article 3 Official Journal of 22 September 2000 in force 1 January
2002)
Blackmail is the act of the obtaining either a signature, a commitment or a renunciation, the revelation of a secret, or
the handing over of funds, valuables or any asset, by threatening to reveal or to impute facts liable to undermine a
person's honour or reputation.
Blackmail is punished by five years' imprisonment and a fine of €75,000.
ARTICLE 312-11
(Ordinance no. 2000-916 of 19 September 2000 Article 3 Official Journal of 22 September 2000 in force 1 January
2002)
Updated 12/10/2005 - Page 70/132

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PENAL CODE
Where the blackmailer has put his threat into execution the penalty is increased to seven years' imprisonment and
to a fine a €100,000.
ARTICLE 312-12
Attempt to commit the misdemeanours set out under this Section of the present Code is subject to the same
penalties.
The provisions of article 311-12 are applicable to the offences defined in the present section.
SECTION IIbis
OFFENCES RELATING TO EXTORTION
Article 312-12-1