PENAL CODE of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste result, which fails to take place only for reasons beyond the control of the perpetrator. Article 24. Punishability of attempt 1. An attempt is punishable only in connection with crimes of intent carrying a maximum prison sentence of more than 3 years and in all other cases expressly determined by law. 2. Except where otherwise provided, an attempt is punishable with an extraordinarily mitigated penalty in comparison to the consummated crime. Article 25. Unpunishability of attempt An attempt is not punishable whenever the inappropriateness of the means employed or absence of an essential element to consummate the crime is manifest. Article 26. Voluntary desistance An attempt ceases to be punishable if the perpetrator voluntarily desists from proceeding to perform the crime, prevents its consummation, or prevents obtaining its result, or who puts forth serious efforts to hinder either. Article 27. Cases of joint commission In the event of joint commission, the attempt of a person shall not be punishable, if the same voluntarily desists from proceeding with commission of the crime, or hinders or voluntarily desists in realizing its result, or earnestly endeavors to hinder either, even if other coparticipants proceed with execution or commission of the act. Article 28. Remorse In crimes without violence or serious threat against persons, if the damage has been remedied, the object returned or the situation legalized before the crime is reported or the information or a complaint received, the penalty shall be extraordinarily mitigated or, depending on the circumstances, the agent shall be exempt from any penalty. CHAPTER III PERPETRATORS OF CRIME Article 29. Perpetrators Participation in the commission of a crime may take on the form of principal authorship, instigation or complicity and there can be various joint participants in the same act. Article 30. Authorship 1. A principal is the person who commits the act either directly or through a third party who serves as an instrument for the former. 2. Coprincipals of an act are any persons who, by expressed or tacit agreement, take direct part in commission of a crime or join forces in commission of the same crime. Article 31. Instigation A person is punishable who, directly and maliciously, instigates another person to commit the crime, if said crime is actually committed or initiated. 12