Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania (1995, as amended 2001) (excerpts related to Hate Crimes) (English)

(unofficial translation)

CRIMINAL CODE

(adopted 27 January 1995)

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SPECIAL PART

CHAPTER I

CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

Article 73

Genocide

(amended 24 January 2001)

The execution of a premeditated plan aimed at the total or partial destruction of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group directed towards its members, and combined with the following acts, such as: intentionally killing group members, serious physical and psychological harm, placement in difficult living conditions which cause physical destruction, applying birth prevention measures, as well as the the obligatory transfer of children from one group to another, is sentenced with no less than ten years of imprisonment, or with life imprisonment.

Article 74

Crimes against humanity

(amended 24 January 2001)

Killing, massacres, slavery, internal exile and deportation, as well as any act of torture or other inhumane violence committed for political, ideological, racial, ethnic and religious reasons, are punishable by no less than fifteen years of imprisonment, or with life imprisonment.

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CHAPTER II

CRIMINAL ACTS AGAINST THE PERSON

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SECTION X

CRIMINAL ACTS AGAINST FREEDOM OF RELIGION

Article 131

Obstructing the activities of religious organizations

Banning the activity of religious organizations, or creating obstacles for the free exercise of their activities, is punishable by a fine or by to up to three years of imprisonment.

Article 132

Destruction or damage of objects of worship

The intentional destruction or damage of objects of worship, when it has caused the partial or total loss of their value, is punishable by a fine or by up to three years of imprisonment.

Article 133

Obstructing religious ceremonies

The prohibition of or creation of obstacles for participating in religious ceremonies, as well as for freely expressing religious beliefs, constitutes a criminal contravention and is punishable by a fine or by up to one year of imprisonment.

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CHAPTER VIII

CRIMES AGAINST THE STATE AUTHORITY

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SECTION III

CRIMINAL ACTS AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY

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Article 265

Inciting national, racial or religious hatred or conflict

Inciting national, racial or religious hatred or conflict as well as preparing, propagating, or keeping with the intent of propagating, of writings with that content, is punishable by a fine or to up ten years of imprisonment.

Article 266

Calls for national hatred

Endangering public peace by calling for national hatred against other parts of the population, by insulting or defaming them, or by requesting the use of force or arbitrary actions against them, is punishable by a fine or up to five years of imprisonment.

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