MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator...
talionis (the law of retaliation), best expressed by the Bible"s formula of "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth."However, even in the Code of the Babylonian King Hammurabi (1700 BC), lex talionis was used on a limited scale and with reservations. Even in ancient times the rulers and lawmakers did not consider it fully justified.
Much time has passed since then, but the same ancient principles have survived up to the present day in the form of Corsican vendetta or blood feud. It is sufficient to recall the tragic story of Vitaly Kaloyev, who stabbed in Switzerland an air traffic controller whom he held responsible for the death of his wife and children.
It is possible to understand and forgive Kaloyev. Who guarantees that they would not have done the same? I cannot, but this does not mean that we should give official approval to this kind of conduct. However, this is exactly what happens when prosecutors and judges administer revenge.