COLLEGE OF LAW AND GOVERNANCE STUDIES
SCHOOL OF LAW
Criminal II
Group members
The Classification And Typology of Crime Based On The Criminal
Code Of Ethiopia
1. Ashenafi Dechasa...........................................................UGR/7811/15
2. Belula Faridu.......................................................................UGR/8882/15
3. Bereket Lencha................................................................UGR/7758/15
4. Bethlehem G/tensae.......................................................UGR/0008/15
5. Eyob Shelme........................................................................UGR/1436/15
6. Abuk Manut ………………………………UGR/8269/15
Submitted to: Mr. Birhanu Taye
Submission date: April 16, 2025
TYPOLOGY OF CRIME
The typology of crime under Ethiopian law is based on legal interest protected (called Rechtsgut
in civil law terminology), and not the crime itself.
Book II: Crimes against the Person
Protection of the physical integrity; life dignity; and family relations.
Homicide:
• Premeditated Murder (Article 522): Intentional killing with prior planning.
• Aggravated murder (Article 248) - The murder of political figures and killings
perpetrated as part of terrorist activities
• Manslaughter (Article 527): Unintentional killing due to negligence or recklessness
Violent Crimes
• Assault (Article 561): Causing bodily harm without intent to kill.
• Kidnapping (Article 552) means circumstances whereby an illegal person is held captive
or abducted.
Sexual Offenses
• Rape (Article 620): Non-consensual sexual intercourse.
• Female genital mutilation (FGM) (Article 565) Cut or tampering with female genitalia.
Family Crimes:
• Domestic violence (Article 564) Physical or psychological abuse committed within
households
• Child abandonment (Article 576) Absconding from the needs of the fundamental care of
a child under the age of twelve.
• Bigamy (Article 650): Being married after you’ve been officially married
Book III: Crimes Against Property
Safeguards ownership, possession, and economic interests.
• Theft (Article 678): Unlawful taking of movable property.
• Robbery (Article 685): Theft accompanied by violence or threats
• Fraud (Article 713): Deception for financial or material gain.
• Embezzlement (article 708): Misappropriation of the property entrusted to the State.
• Arson (Article 722): Intentional burning of property
Cybercrimes:
• Digital theft and fraud are covered by theft/fraud provisions.
Book IV: Crimes Against the State
Protects national security, sovereignty, and political institutions.
• Treason (Article 248): an act in support of external enemies during armed conflict or an
action which disadvantages the state's sovereignty.
• Espionage (Article 251): Sharing state secrets with foreign entities.
• Rebellion (Article 239): Armed insurrection against government authority.
• Terrorism (Article 269) Terrorism is the use of violent threats to destabilize institutions
and to inflame popular anxiety.
• Sabotage (Article 275): The demise of critical infrastructure (e. g. transport, energy
system)
Book V: Crimes Against the Administration of Justice
Maintains legal standards by protecting judicial integrity and adherence to legal processes.
• Perjury (Article 444): Knowingly providing false testimony under oath.
• Witness Intimidation (Article 445): Threatening or harming witnesses to obstruct justice.
• Contempt of Court (Article 451) disregarding judicial jurisdiction (for example, refusing
to testify).
• Prison Breaks (Article 448): Escaping lawful detention.
Book VI: Crimes Against Public Trust
The section also deals with corruption, economic crimes and abuse of authority of the state.
• Bribery (Article 403): Offering or accepting bribes for favors
• Abuse of Office (Article 404): Misusing public power for personal gain.
Tax Evasion (Article 423) describes intentional reduction of tax payments.
• Money Laundering (Article 424): Concealing the origins of illicit funds.
• Counterfeiting (Article 430): Forging currency, stamps, or official documents
Book VII: Crimes Against Public Order, Morality, and Health
Its purpose is to ensure social order and public welfare while at the same time respecting
personal morality.
Public Order
• Unlawful Assembly (Article 482): Gathering without permits to disrupt peace.
• Rioting (Article 483): Violent collective disturbance.
Morality
• Prostitution (Article 629): Commercial sexual exploitation.
• Public Indecency (Article 631): Acts offending communal moral standards
Health and Environment:
• Drug trafficking (Article 601) Illicit production or distribution of narcotics.
• Environmental Crimes (Article 517) Pollution and illegal logging, and/or destruction of
ecosystems.
Specialized and Modern Crimes
• Human Trafficking (Article 596): Recruitment or exploitation through coercion
• Cybercrimes: Most jurisdictions classify cybercrimes (hacking) under appropriate
jurisdictional categories, such as property crime
• Harmful Traditional Practices:
Early Marriage: Prohibited under family law provisions
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIME
1. .Classification by Nature of Offense
Crimes Against People: It encompasses crimes such as homicide, bodily harm, and sexual
attacks.
The term "crimes against property" is used to cover crimes such as robbery, forgery, and arson.
Illicit congregation and public disorder, such as riots, come under the category of "crimes against
public order."
Crimes against the state" is a term for crimes such as treason, terrorism, and espionage.
2. Classification Based on Punishment
Serious offenses are punishable by death or imprisonment, including treason (Article
248) and murder (Article 540). Although they are not categorized as "felonies," they are
nonetheless regarded as serious violations that are comparable to the idea of major crimes
in other legal systems. However, less serious crimes like stealing (Article 665) and petty
violence (Article 560) are punished with less severe punishments like fines or simple jail.
Similar to this are what other systems call "misdemeanors."
1. Classification by Severity
Felonies
Felonies are serious offenses, which have stern punishments like imprisonment for years or even
death. Examples are:
Murder: Article 540 provides penalties for intentional murder.
Treason: Article 248 is about crimes against the sovereignty of the state.
Corruption: Articles 407–412 discuss various types of corruption and the punishment for it.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are smaller crimes with lower punishments like paying fines or confinement for a
small duration. Examples are:
Petty Theft: Article 665 addresses theft of minor value.
Minor Assault: Article 560 addresses physical harm which is not serious harm.
