The Lebanese Penal Code is organized into two main books. The first book sets out the general principles that govern criminal law as a whole, including how crimes are defined, how responsibility is established, and how penalties are applied. It provides the legal framework that applies to all offenses, regardless of their specific nature. It explains when and where criminal law applies, how jurisdiction is determined, and the basic principle that no crime or punishment exists without a clear legal text. It also establishes the system of penalties, ranging from the most severe punishments for serious crimes to lighter sanctions for minor offenses, as well as additional accessory penalties and preventive measures designed to protect society and reduce the risk of reoffending. In addition, it regulates civil consequences linked to criminal judgments, such as compensation for victims, and explains how criminal liability can be extinguished through mechanisms like amnesty, rehabilitation, or the passage of time. Finally, it defines the concept of crime itself and clarifies who can be held responsible. The second book focuses on specific offenses and their classification according to the legal interest they protect, providing a detailed catalogue of crimes and the corresponding penalties for each category. It begins with offenses against the security of the state, such as treason, espionage, and terrorism, then moves to crimes that threaten public order and safety, including illegal weapons and violent group activity. It also covers corruption and abuse of power within public administration. Further categories protect public trust by criminalizing forgery and counterfeiting, and address offenses involving religion, family structure, and social morality, including sexual offenses and child neglect. The Code also includes crimes against individuals, such as homicide, assault, defamation, and human trafficking, as well as acts that create widespread public danger, like arson or the spread of disease. It additionally regulates socially disruptive behaviors, property-related offenses such as theft and fraud, and finally, minor infractions. The Code contains specific provisions scattered throughout Book Two that criminalize actions causing environmental degradation, pollution, or ecological damage. In particular, it penalizes, in Articles 641-643, both intentional and negligent acts that endanger public water resources. It prohibits the contamination, poisoning, or corruption of drinking water sources and public water infrastructure, as well as reckless behavior that results in the pollution of water bodies or the spread of harmful substances. It also specifically targets deliberate acts involving the introduction of infectious or dangerous biological agents into water systems or agricultural resources, reflecting the emphasis on protecting public health and environmental safety. Under the category of property crimes, the Lebanese Penal Code provides protection for forestry, vegetation, and agricultural land through a set of provisions aimed at preventing environmental and material destruction. Articles 739 to 744 protect agricultural property, vegetation, animals, and farming equipment from intentional destruction and vandalism. Article 739 criminalizes the cutting, damaging, or destruction of standing crops, trees, shrubs, or other plantings belonging to another person. Article 740 establishes harsher penalties when the damage concerns grafts, fruit trees, offshoots, or trees of particular agricultural, commercial, or industrial value. Article 742 protects animals belonging to others by penalizing the intentional injury, misuse, transport, or killing of animals, with stricter sanctions when the offense occurs on the owner’s property or when poisoning is involved. Article 743 further criminalizes the intentional destruction or disabling of agricultural equipment. The Penal Code contains specific provisions aimed at protecting food quality, consumer trust, and public health by criminalizing both fraudulent practices and the circulation of unsafe food products. Article 607 states that anyone who adulterates food intended for human or animal consumption, as well as pharmaceuticals, beverages, or industrial, agricultural, or natural products intended for sale, shall be punished, as well as shall be punished who offers for sale or sells such products while knowing that they are adulterated or spoiled.
Lebanon · 1943-03-01