When an act prescribed under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article is found to relate to matters of public interest and to have been conducted solely for the benefit of the public, the truth or falsity of the alleged facts are to be examined, and punishment is not imposed if they are proven to be true.
前条第一項の行為が公共の利害に関する事実に係り、かつ、その目的が専ら公益を図ることにあったと認める場合には、事実の真否を判断し、真実であることの証明があったときは、これを罰しない。
In application of the preceding paragraph, matters concerning the criminal act of a person who has not been prosecuted is deemed to be matters of public interest.
前項の規定の適用については、公訴が提起されるに至っていない人の犯罪行為に関する事実は、公共の利害に関する事実とみなす。
When the act prescribed under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article is made with regard to matters concerning a public employee or a candidate for election, punishment is not imposed if an inquiry into the truth or falsity of the alleged facts are made and they are proven to be true.