New Articles 242-1 and 277-1 of the Criminal Code: criminal liability for financing criminal organisations and illegal fights

The Senate has approved a law adding two articles to the Criminal Code: Article 242-1 on financing a criminal organisation and Article 277-1 on illegally organising combat sports competitions. Liability for hooliganism is also toughened. The law is not yet in force: it must be signed by the President.

The law strengthening liability for organised crime was approved on 2 October 2026 at the Senate’s 20th plenary session. Its aim is to step up the fight against organised crime and cut off its funding. The published materials do not give the penalties under the new articles.

Financing a criminal organisation

Until now there was no separate liability for this. New Article 242-1 of the Criminal Code introduces it. In addition:

• Assisting the creation of a criminal organisation or concealing its crimes by abuse of power or official authority becomes a separate offence
• Those who financed a criminal organisation or assisted it using their official authority will not be eligible for parole
• A person who provided financing may be released from liability if they reported it to the authorities in good time or actively helped prevent the consequences, and their actions do not constitute another offence

Cases under Article 242-1 will be investigated by prosecutor’s office investigators.

Illegal fights

• Article 277-1 of the Criminal Code: criminal liability for illegally organising or holding combat sports competitions
• Article 191-1 of the Code of Administrative Liability: administrative liability for taking part in such competitions. These cases will be heard by criminal courts

Hooliganism

Liability for hooliganism (Article 277 of the Criminal Code) is being toughened. The following will become aggravating circumstances:

• Commission by an organised group
• Destruction of property causing damage on a particularly large scale

Criminal liability for hooliganism as part of an organised group will apply from the age of 14. Liability for intentionally causing grievous bodily harm resulting in the victim’s death has also been increased. Hooliganism and illegal fight cases will be investigated by internal affairs investigators.

What this means in practice. Liability will extend not only to members of criminal groups but also to those who give them money. Any financial support for such an organisation may lead to criminal proceedings under the new article. Release from liability is possible only by reporting to the authorities in good time or actively helping to prevent the consequences.

Organisers of martial arts tournaments should check in advance that the established procedure for holding competitions is followed, and athletes should make sure a tournament is lawful. Parents of teenagers should know that criminal liability for group hooliganism will start at 14.

Photo: KeepActive Australia, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)