Article 15 — Falsification of the Great Seal and State Instruments

1. 1.

   Pursuant to Article 40(4) of the Fundamental Laws, the falsification of the Great Seal and other instruments of State authentication constitutes a grave offence under this Article.

2. 2.

   Any person who counterfeits, falsifies, or without authorisation reproduces or uses the Great Seal, the Lesser Seal, or any other instrument of State authentication commits an offence.

   1. This includes the digital forgery of electronic seals, authentication tokens, cryptographic keys, or digital signatures issued by the State or its organs.
   2. This includes the creation, distribution, or deployment of any tool, software, or process designed or adapted primarily for the purpose of committing an offence under this paragraph.
3. 3.

   Any person who uses or possesses a falsified or counterfeited instrument referred to in paragraph 2, knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe it to be false, commits an offence.

4. 4.

   Any person who, without authorisation, transfers, publishes, or makes available to another person any genuine instrument of State authentication for a purpose inconsistent with its lawful use commits an offence.

5. 5.

   Classification. An offence under this Article is a grave offence.

6. 6.

   Sanctions. A person found guilty of an offence under this Article is liable to the following sanctions:

   1. A fine of $50,000 to $500,000, in accordance with Article 12.
   2. Public censure in accordance with Article 10.
   3. Forfeiture of any falsified instrument, and of any tool, software, or material used in the commission of the offence.
   4. Revocation of any State-granted recognition, licence, or credential held by the offender where such recognition, licence, or credential was obtained or facilitated by the offence.