The fact that an act is done on orders from superior authority does not necessarily exculpate the doer.
Civil Code
2015 English source edition · Current applicability not established.
This is the 2015 English-language edition attributed in its front matter to the Ministry of Justice. Eri Atlas has not independently verified the translation, later changes, or whether the text is currently in force. Nine passages are incomplete in the available scan and are identified where they occur.
Article 1603
Superior Order · Preserved transcription; page attribution imported from the source collection. Verify against the original.
The doer commits a fault where he is aware of the illicit nature of the order, in particular by reason of the lack of competence of the person giving the order, and the criminal nature of the act ordered.
There is no fault where, in the circumstances of the case, and in particular having regard to the strict exigencies of administrative or military discipline, the doer was placed in such a position that he could not discuss the order received or act otherwise than he did.