Ley No. 573 - DEFAMATION LAW

-730- MZLJTARY GOVERNMEET OF SANTO DOMING0 Executive Order No. 573 -- DEFAMATION LAW. By virtue of the powers vested in the Military Govzrnmer,t of Santo Domingo, the foliowing Order is hereby pmmulgated: ARTICLE I. “Defamation” and “insult”, as herein defin- ed and penalized, are hereby declared to be delitos. ARTICLE 2 . The penalty for publicly dcfaming or insult- ing the Government of the United States of America or any officer thereof, o r the Military Gorernment of Santo Domingo or any officer thereof, shall be correctional irnpi-isonment o,f not mme than two years, 01” fine of not more tlian one thousand dollJiT, OF both s::c~ fili? alltl .l?t. ~ L E ~ Y ~ S ~ I I Y L ARTICLE 3 . Defamation is t h e allegation o r imyutation of a n act, the comv.issioii of which mould bring dishonor or ill- repute upon some per;on or entity. An insult is any insolent remark, invective or contemptuous expression that does not convey a n imputation that a certain act has been committed. ARTICLE 4. Defamation of any other representative, agent or employee of the Government of the United States or of d i ~Jlijit-1-y Go:ernr?..ci.: s:,‘a!l bc : - l l i 7 i - b d b,- 3 fi.1-e ,?inot more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment of not more than six months or by both such fine and imprisonment. ARTICLE 5. Imputztinr?s made con-crnlng s ~ c hofficer, representative, agent or employee, when identified by name or otherwise, do not constitute defamation nor insult where such imputations are the expression of the truth. The burden of proving t h e truth thereof rests with the accused. ARTICLE 6 . In case of an insult or defamation of any such officer,, representative, agent or employee, when not identified by name or otherwise, the offense shall be deemed as against the corresponding Government. ARTICLE 7 . Infractions of this Executive Order shall be tried and determined by tribunals of the Military Government of Santo Domingo . ARTICLE 8. All Laws and parts of Laws in conflict with this Law are hereby repealed. THOMAS SNOWDEN, Rear-Admiral 17. S. Navy Military Goverilor of Santo Dxningo. 4 Santo Domingo City, D. R., Dec. 6, 1920.