Legal Definitions - assassination

An assassination refers to the deliberate and premeditated killing of an individual, often a prominent public figure, typically carried out for political motives, ideological reasons, or financial gain. This act is distinguished from other forms of murder by its specific intent to achieve broader political, social, or economic objectives through the elimination of the target.

• Example 1: A radical political faction orchestrates the killing of a sitting head of state who is pursuing peace treaties with rival nations. Their goal is to destabilize the government and prevent the treaties from being signed, hoping to ignite further conflict.

  Explanation: This illustrates an assassination because it involves the deliberate killing of a public figure (the head of state) for clear political reasons (to disrupt peace efforts and destabilize the government).

• Example 2: A powerful international drug cartel hires a professional hitman to eliminate a federal prosecutor who has successfully dismantled several of their key operations and is close to securing convictions against high-ranking members. The cartel's motive is to remove a significant threat to their criminal enterprise and deter other law enforcement officials.

  Explanation: This demonstrates an assassination as it involves the intentional killing of an influential individual (a federal prosecutor) for financial and operational reasons related to a criminal organization, effectively removing an obstacle to their illicit gains.

• Example 3: An extremist group targets a renowned human rights activist who has been vocal in exposing their atrocities and mobilizing international opposition. They believe that by silencing the activist, they can suppress dissent and continue their activities without significant external pressure.

  Explanation: This is an assassination because it involves the deliberate killing of an influential individual (a human rights activist) driven by ideological motives (to suppress opposition and maintain their power), aiming for a broader impact on their operations and public perception.