Legal Definitions - hosticide

Hosticide refers to the act of killing an enemy. It can also describe the person who carries out such an act.

Here are some examples to illustrate this term:

• Example 1: During a declared war, a soldier on the front lines successfully engages and eliminates an opposing combatant in a direct firefight.

  Explanation: This scenario exemplifies hosticide because the soldier intentionally killed an individual who was officially recognized as an enemy within the context of armed conflict.

• Example 2: An intelligence operative, working covertly for their government, executes a mission to neutralize a foreign agent who was actively engaged in espionage against their nation's security interests.

  Explanation: In this case, the foreign agent is considered an "enemy" due to their adversarial actions against the operative's country. The operative's act of neutralization, resulting in the agent's death, constitutes hosticide.

• Example 3: In a long-standing and violent feud between two rival criminal organizations, a member of one syndicate ambushes and kills a key leader from the opposing group to gain dominance.

  Explanation: The leader of the opposing criminal group is regarded as an "enemy" by the rival syndicate. Their killing, carried out in the context of this ongoing conflict and rivalry, demonstrates hosticide.