Enacted parts

PARTICIPATION IN AN UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY
Articles 431-3 to 431-8
ARTICLE 431-3
An unlawful assembly is any gathering of persons on the public highway or in any place open to the public where it
is liable to breach the public peace.
An unlawful assembly may be dispersed by the forces of public order after two orders to disperse have been issued
without success by the prefect, the sub-prefect, the mayor or one of his deputies, any judicial police officer in charge of
public safety, or any other judicial police officer, bearing the insignia of their office.
These orders are made in a manner appropriate to inform the persons taking part in the unlawful assembly of the
obligation to disperse without delay; the manner shall be specified by a Decree of the Conseil d'Etat, which shall also
determine the insignia to be borne by the persons referred to under the previous paragraph.
However, the representatives of the forces of order called to disperse an unlawful assembly may directly resort to
the use of force where acts of violence are carried out against themselves or if they are not in a position otherwise to
protect the place they are occupying.
ARTICLE 431-4
(Ordinance no. 2000-916 of 19 September 2000 Article 3 Official Journal of 22 September 2000 in force 1 January
2002)
Wilful participation in an unlawful assembly, after the orders have been issued, committed by a person not carrying
a weapon is punished by one year's imprisonment and a fine of €15,000.
ARTICLE 431-5
(Ordinance no. 2000-916 of 19 September 2000 Article 3 Official Journal of 22 September 2000 in force 1 January
2002)
Wilful participation in an unlawful assembly whilst carrying a weapon is punished by three years' imprisonment and
a fine of €45,000.
Where the person carrying a weapon has wilfully continued to participate in an unlawful assembly after the orders
have been issued, the penalty is increased to five years' imprisonment and to a fine of €75,000.