Source: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_rul_rule65_sectionb
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 07:09:15+00:00

Document:
Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land, annexed to Convention (II) with Respect to the Laws and Customs of War on Land, The Hague, 29 July 1899, Article 23(b).
Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land, annexed to Convention (IV) respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land, The Hague, 18 October 1907, Article 23(b).
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I), Geneva, 8 June 1977, Article 37(1). Article 37 was adopted by consensus. CDDH, Official Records, Vol. VI, CDDH/SR.39, 25 May 1977, p. 103.
This proposal was adopted in Committee III of the CDDH by 21 votes in favour, 15 against and 41 abstentions.
CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XV, CDDH/III/SR.59, 10 May 1977, p. 213, § 20.
Eventually, however, it was deleted by consensus in the plenary.
CDDH, Official Records, Vol. VII, CDDH/SR.52, 6 June 1977, p. 128.
Under Article 8(2)(b)(xi) of the 1998 ICC Statute, “[k]illing or wounding treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army” is a war crime in international armed conflicts. Under Article 8(2)(e)(ix), “[k]illing or wounding treacherously a combatant adversary” is a war crime in non-international armed conflicts.
Statute of the International Criminal Court, adopted by the UN Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court, Rome, 17 July 1998, UN Doc. A/CONF.183/9, Article 8(2)(b)(xi) and (e)(ix).
Instructions for the Government of Armies of the United States in the Field, prepared by Francis Lieber, promulgated as General Order No. 100 by President Abraham Lincoln, Washington D.C., 24 April 1863, Article 101.
Article 13(b) of the 1874 Brussels Declaration prohibits “[m]urder by treachery of individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army”.
Project of an International Declaration concerning the Laws and Customs of War, Brussels, 27 August 1874, Article 13(b).
Article 8 of the 1880 Oxford Manual prohibits the making of “treacherous attempts upon the life of an enemy; as, for example, by keeping assassins in pay”.
The Laws of War on Land, adopted by the Institute of International Law, Oxford, 9 September 1880, Article 8.
Paragraph 6 of the 1991 Memorandum of Understanding on the Application of IHL between Croatia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia requires that hostilities be conducted in accordance with Article 37 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
Paragraph 2.5 of the 1992 Agreement on the Application of IHL between the Parties to the Conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires that hostilities be conducted in accordance with Article 37 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
The UNTAET Regulation No. 2000/15 establishes panels with exclusive jurisdiction over serious criminal offences, including war crimes. According to Section 6(1)(b)(xi), “[k]illing or wounding treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army” is a war crime in international armed conflicts. Under Section 6(1)(e)(ix), “[k]illing or wounding treacherously a combatant adversary” is a war crime in non-international armed conflicts.
Regulation on the Establishment of Panels with Exclusive Jurisdiction over Serious Criminal Offences, UN Doc. UNTAET/REG/2000/15, Dili, 6 June 2000, Section 6(1)(b)(xi) and (e)(ix).
Argentina, Leyes de Guerra, PC-08-01, Público, Edición 1989, Estado Mayor Conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas, aprobado por Resolución No. 489/89 del Ministerio de Defensa, 23 April 1990, § 1.05(1).
Assassination is the sudden or secret killing by treacherous means of an individual who is not a combatant, by premeditated assault, for political or religious reasons. Assassination is unlawful. In addition, it is prohibited to put a price on the head of an enemy individual. Any offer for an enemy “dead or alive” is forbidden. If prior information of an intended assassination or other act of treachery should reach the party on whose behalf the act is committed, that party should endeavour to prevent its occurrence.
The prohibition against assassination is not to be confused with attacks on individual members of the enemy’s armed forces as those persons are combatants and are legitimate military targets.
Australia, Manual on Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 – Interim Edition, 1994, §§ 724 and 725.
It is generally recognised by the international community that assassination of civilian political figures and issuance of orders that an enemy is to be taken ‘dead or alive’ constitutes treacherous behaviour and is, therefore, proscribed by LOAC.
Australia, Law of Armed Conflict, Commanders’ Guide, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 Supplement 1 – Interim Edition, 7 March 1994, § 512.
Assassination is the killing or wounding of a selected individual behind the line of battle by enemy agents or unlawful combatants, and is prohibited. In addition, the proscription, outlawing, putting a price on the head of an enemy individual or any offer for an enemy “dead or alive” is forbidden. If prior information of an intended assassination or other act of treachery should reach the party on whose behalf the act is to be committed, that party should endeavour to prevent its occurrence.
It is not forbidden to send a detachment of individual members of the armed forces to kill, by sudden attack, members or a member of the enemy armed forces.
Australia, Law of Armed Conflict, Commanders’ Guide, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 Supplement 1 – Interim Edition, 7 March 1994, §§ 919 and 920.
7.25 Assassination is the sudden or secret killing by treacherous means of an individual who is not a combatant, by premeditated assault, for political or religious reasons. Assassination is unlawful. In addition, it is prohibited to put a price on the head of an enemy individual. Any offer for an enemy “dead or alive” is forbidden. If prior information of an intended assassination or other act of treachery should reach the party on whose behalf the act is to be committed, that party should endeavour to prevent its occurrence.
7.26 The prohibition against assassination is not to be confused with attacks on individual members of the enemy’s armed forces as those persons are combatants and are legitimate military targets.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, §§ 7.25–7.26.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 7.4.
Burundi, Règlement n° 98 sur le droit international humanitaire, Ministère de la Défense Nationale et des Anciens Combattants, Projet “Moralisation” (BDI/B-05), August 2007, Part I bis, p. 32; see also Part I bis, p. 41.
Cameroon’s Instructor’s Manual (1992) states that it is prohibited “to kill, wound or capture an adversary by resort to perfidy”.
Cameroon, Droit international humanitaire et droit de la guerre, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les Forces Armées, Présidence de la République, Ministère de la Défense, Etat-major des Armées, Troisième Division, Edition 1992, p. 109, § 421.1.
Cameroon’s Instructor’s Manual (2006) states that it is prohibited to “kill, wound or capture an adversary by resort to perfidy”.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Level, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 1999, p. 6-2, § 8 (land warfare), p. 7-2, § 16 (air warfare) and p. 8-10, § 80 (naval warfare).
The manual further provides that “treacherously killing or wounding any individual belonging to the hostile nation or army” constitutes a war crime.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Level, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 1999, p. 16-3, § 20(b).
Assassination is prohibited. Assassination means the killing or wounding of a selected non-combatant for a political or religious motive. It is not forbidden, however, to send a detachment or individual members of the armed forces to kill, by sudden attack, a person who is a combatant.
If prior information of an intended assassination should reach the party on whose behalf the act is to be committed, that party should make the utmost effort to prevent its being carried out.
It is forbidden to put a price on the head of an enemy individual or to offer a bounty for an enemy “dead or alive”.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Level, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 1999, p. 6-3, §§ 25–27.
It is prohibited to kill, injure or capture adversaries by resort to perfidy. Acts inviting the confidence of adversaries and leading them to believe that they are entitled to protection or are obliged to grant protection under the LOAC, with intent to betray that confidence, constitute perfidy. In other words, perfidy consists of committing a hostile act under the cover of a legal protection.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, §§ 603.1 (land warfare), 706.1 (air warfare) and 857.1 (naval warfare).
1. Assassination is prohibited. Assassination means the killing or wounding of a selected non-combatant for a political or religious motive. It is not forbidden, however, to send a detachment or individual members of the armed forces to kill, by sudden attack, a person who is a combatant.
2. If prior information of an intended assassination should reach the party on whose behalf the act is to be committed, that party should make the utmost effort to prevent its being carried out.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 612.
In its chapter on “War crimes, individual criminal liability and command responsibility”, the manual states that “treacherously killing or wounding any individual belonging to the hostile nation or army” constitutes a war crime.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 1609.2.b.
Chad’s Instructor’s Manual (2006) states that “killing or wounding an enemy or taking him captive by making use of perfidy” is prohibited and that to do so is a war crime.
Chad, Droit international humanitaire, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les forces armées et de sécurité, Ministère de la Défense, Présidence de la République, Etat-major des Armées, 2006, p. 78.
France’s LOAC Manual (2001) states: “It is prohibited to injure, kill or capture [an adversary] by resort to perfidy.” This may constitute a war crime.
France, Manuel de droit des conflits armés, Ministère de la Défense, Direction des Affaires Juridiques, Sous-Direction du droit international humanitaire et du droit européen, Bureau du droit des conflits armés, 2001, p. 47; see also p. 85.
Indonesia, The Basics of International Humanitarian Law, Legal Division of the Indonesian Armed Forces, 1982, § 103.
An attempt on the lives of enemy leaders (civilian or military) is forbidden. As a rule, it is forbidden to single out a specific person on the adversary’s side and request his death (whether by dispatching an assassin or by offering an award for his liquidation).
Israel, Laws of War in the Battlefield, Manual, Military Advocate General Headquarters, Military School, 1998, p. 57.
Italy’s IHL Manual (1991) provides that is prohibited to kill or injure an enemy by treachery.
Italy, Manuale di diritto umanitario, Introduzione e Volume I, Usi e convenzioni di Guerra, SMD-G-014, Stato Maggiore della Difesa, I Reparto, Ufficio Addestramento e Regolamenti, Rome, 1991, Vol. I, § 8(2).
Netherlands, Handboek Militair, Ministerie van Defensie, 1995, p. 7-36.
Acts of war based on treachery or acts in breach of good faith are forbidden.
Example: to behave (moaning and groaning) so as to pass oneself off to a member of the other side as wounded and wishing to surrender, and then suddenly to open fire on the person offering help.
It is, however, permitted to use stratagems.
Netherlands, Humanitair Oorlogsrecht: Handleiding, Voorschift No. 27-412, Koninklijke Landmacht, Militair Juridische Dienst, 2005, § 0230.
Netherlands, Humanitair Oorlogsrecht: Handleiding, Voorschift No. 27-412, Koninklijke Landmacht, Militair Juridische Dienst, 2005, § 0413.
New Zealand, Interim Law of Armed Conflict Manual, DM 112, New Zealand Defence Force, Headquarters, Directorate of Legal Services, Wellington, November 1992, §§ 502(5) (land warfare) and 713(2) (naval warfare).
The manual further states that “the treacherous killing or wounding of any individual belonging to the hostile nation or army” constitutes a war crime.
New Zealand, Interim Law of Armed Conflict Manual, DM 112, New Zealand Defence Force, Headquarters, Directorate of Legal Services, Wellington, November 1992, § 1704(2)(b).
Assassination, that is, the killing or wounding of a selected individual behind the line of battle by enemy agents or unlawful combatants is prohibited. In addition, the proscription or outlawing or the putting of a price on the head of an enemy individual or any offer for an enemy “dead or alive” is forbidden. If prior information of an intended assassination or other act of treachery should reach the Party on whose behalf the act is to be committed, that Party should endeavour to prevent its being carried out.
New Zealand, Interim Law of Armed Conflict Manual, DM 112, New Zealand Defence Force, Headquarters, Directorate of Legal Services, Wellington, November 1992, § 507.
Under Nigeria’s Military Manual (1994), it is forbidden “to kill or wound treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation’s army”.
Nigeria, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Directorate of Legal Services, Nigerian Army, 1994, p. 39, § 5(l)(ii).
Under Nigeria’s Soldiers’ Code of Conduct it is forbidden “to kill or wound treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army”.
Nigeria, Code of Conduct for Combatants, “The Soldier’s Rules”, Nigerian Army, undated, § 12(b).
the killing, wounding or capture of an adversary by acts of perfidy, committed with the intent to deceive his good faith and to make him believe that he is entitled to receive, or has the obligation to accord, the protection provided by the rules of international humanitarian law.
Romania, Manualul Soldatului, Ghid de comportare în luptă, Asociaţia Română de Drept Umanitar (ARDU), 1991, pp. 34 and 35.
The Russian Federation’s Military Manual (1990) provides that “killing or wounding a person belonging to enemy troops by resort to perfidy” is a prohibited method of warfare.
Russian Federation, Instructions on the Application of the Rules of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the USSR, Appendix to Order of the USSR Defence Minister No. 75, 1990, § 5(a).
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Publicación OR7-004, 2 Tomos, aprobado por el Estado Mayor del Ejército, Division de Operaciones, 18 March 1996, Vol. I, § 5.3.c.
Spain’s LOAC Manual (2007) states that prohibited forms of deception include: “killing, injuring or capturing an adversary by resort to perfidy”.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Tomo 1, Publicación OR7–004, (Edición Segunda), Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina, Dirección de Doctrina, Orgánica y Materiales, 2 November 2007, § 5.3.c.
Sweden, International Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflict, with reference to the Swedish Total Defence System, Swedish Ministry of Defence, January 1991, Section 3.2.1.1.b, pp. 28 and 29.
Switzerland, Lois et coutumes de la guerre (Extrait et commentaire), Règlement 51.7/II f, Armée Suisse, 1987, Article 18, including commentary.
United Kingdom, The Law of War on Land being Part III of the Manual of Military Law, The War Office, HMSO, 1958, § 311.
Assassination, the killing or wounding of a selected individual behind the line of battle by enemy agents or partisans, and the killing or wounding by treachery of individuals belonging to the opposing nation or army, are not lawful acts of war. The perpetrator of such an act has to claim to be treated as a combatant, but should be put on trial as a war criminal. If prior information of an intended assassination or other act of treachery should reach the government on whose behalf the act is to be committed, that government should endeavour to prevent its being carried out.
It is not forbidden to send a detachment or individual members of the armed forces to kill, by sudden attack, members or a member of the enemy armed forces.
In view of the prohibition of assassination, the proscription or outlawing or the putting of a price on the head of an enemy individual or any offer for an enemy “dead or alive” is forbidden.
How far do the above rules apply to armed conflicts not of an international character occurring in the territory of a State, e.g., a civil war or large scale armed insurrection? The acts which are prohibited in such conflicts are those set out in common Art. 3 of the 1949 [Geneva] Conventions, see paras. 7 and 8. Para (1) (a) of that article forbids “murder of all kinds” in respect of persons who do not take an active part in the hostilities and those members of armed forces who have laid down their arms or who are hors de combat. If a government or military commander offers rewards for all or individual armed insurgents killed or wounded by the forces engaged in quelling the insurrection, such offers are open to the same objection as those set out above in respect of hostilities between belligerents and are probably unlawful.
United Kingdom, The Law of War on Land being Part III of the Manual of Military Law, The War Office, HMSO, 1958, § 115, including footnote 2, and § 116, including footnote 1.
United Kingdom, The Law of Armed Conflict, D/DAT/13/35/66, Army Code 71130 (Revised 1981), Ministry of Defence, prepared under the Direction of The Chief of the General Staff, 1981, Section 4, p. 12, § 2(a); see also Annex A, p. 46, § 4.
United Kingdom, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Ministry of Defence, 1 July 2004, § 5.9.
United Kingdom, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Ministry of Defence, 1 July 2004, § 5.9.4; see also § 13.83 (maritime warfare).
United Kingdom, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Ministry of Defence, 1 July 2004, § 15.12.
b. to kill or wound treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army.
Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of, Propisi o Primeri Pravila Medjunarodnog Ratnog Prava u Oruzanim Snagama SFRJ, PrU-2, Savezni Sekretarijat za Narodnu Odbranu (Pravna Uprava), 1988, § 104.
The manual adds that it is prohibited to put a price on someone’s head, whether State or military commander or any other person.
Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of, Propisi o Primeri Pravila Medjunarodnog Ratnog Prava u Oruzanim Snagama SFRJ, PrU-2, Savezni Sekretarijat za Narodnu Odbranu (Pravna Uprava), 1988, § 106.
Australia, Criminal Code Act, 1995, as amended on 1 November 2007, taking into account amendments up to Act No. 177 of 2007, Chapter 8, § 268.49, pp. 333–334.
(e) the perpetrator’s conduct takes place in the context of, and is associated with, an armed conflict that is not an international armed conflict.
Australia, Criminal Code Act, 1995, as amended on 1 November 2007, taking into account amendments up to Act No. 177 of 2007, Chapter 8, § 268.90, p. 365.
Australia’s ICC (Consequential Amendments) Act (2002) incorporates in the Criminal Code the war crimes defined in the 1998 ICC Statute, including “treacherously killing or injuring” a person belonging to the adverse party, in international and non-international armed conflicts.
Australia, ICC (Consequential Amendments) Act, 2002, Schedule 1, §§ 268.49 and 268.90.
27. to kill or wound treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army or a combatant adversary.
Belgium, Penal Code, 1867, as amended on 5 August 2003, Chapter III, Title I bis, Article 136 quater, § 1(27).
15 bis to kill or wound treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army or a combatant adversary.
Belgium, Law relating to the Repression of Grave Breaches of International Humanitarian Law, 1993, as amended on 23 April 2003, Article 1 ter, § 1(15 bis).
Under the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Criminal Code (1998), if the killing of an enemy who has laid down arms or has surrendered at discretion, or has no longer any means of defence, is committed in an “insidious way”, this constitutes an aggravating circumstance of the war crime.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federation, Criminal Code, 1998, Article 158(2).
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, Criminal Code, 2000, Article 438(2).
i) killing or wounding treacherously a combatant adversary.
Burundi, Law on Genocide, Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes, 2003, Article 4(B)(k) and (D)(i).
9°. Killing or wounding treacherously a combatant adversary.
Burundi, Penal Code, 2009, Article 198(2)(11°) and (5)(9°).
Under Croatia’s Criminal Code (1997), if the killing of an enemy who has laid down arms or has surrendered at discretion, or has no longer any means of defence, is committed in a “treacherous way”, this constitutes an aggravating circumstance of the war crime.
Croatia, Criminal Code, 1997, Article 161(2).
Making improper use of the flag of truce, of the flag or of the military insignia and uniform of the enemy or of the United Nations, as well as of the distinctive emblems provided for under the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their  Additional Protocols, and thereby causing serious bodily harm to a combatant from the adverse party is punishable by 20 years’ imprisonment.
When the offence defined in the first paragraph results in such harm to the combatant leading to permanent mutilation or disability, the penalty is increased to 30 years’ imprisonment.
When the offence results in the death of the victim, the penalty is increased to life imprisonment.
Under Georgia’s Criminal Code (1999), any war crime provided for by the 1998 ICC Statute, which is not explicitly mentioned in the Code, such as “killing or wounding treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army” in international armed conflicts, and “killing or wounding treacherously a combatant adversary” in non-international armed conflicts, are crimes.
Germany’s Law Introducing the International Crimes Code (2002) punishes anyone who, in connection with an international or non-international armed conflict, “treacherously kills or wounds a member of the hostile armed forces or a combatant of the adverse party”.
Germany, Law Introducing the International Crimes Code, 2002, Article 1, § 11(1)(7).
Under Ireland’s Geneva Conventions Act (1962), as amended in 1998, any “minor breach” of the 1977 Additional Protocol I, including violations of Article 37(1), is a punishable offence.
Italy’s Law of War Decree (1938), as amended in 1992, states that it is prohibited to kill or injure an enemy by treachery.
Italy, Law of War Decree, 1938, as amended in 1992, Article 35(2).
Under Mali’s Penal Code (2001), “killing or wounding by treachery individuals belonging to the enemy nation or army” is a war crime in international armed conflicts.
Mali, Penal Code, 2001, Article 31(i)(11).
Under the International Crimes Act (2003) of the Netherlands, “treacherously killing or wounding individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army” is a crime, whether in time of international or non-international armed conflict.
Netherlands, International Crimes Act, 2003, Articles 5(3)(d) and 6(2)(d).
Under New Zealand’s International Crimes and ICC Act (2000), war crimes include the crimes defined in Article 8(2)(b)(xi) and (e)(ix) of the 1998 ICC Statute.
Any person is liable to punishment for a war crime who in connection with an armed conflict … lead[s] any person to believe that he is entitled to protection or is obliged to provide protection in accordance with international law and with the intention of betraying this trust, kills or wounds any person belonging to the nationals or armed forces of the hostile party.
Norway, Penal Code, 1902, as amended in 2008, § 106(g).
7. Treacherously attacks a member of the enemy armed forces or a member of the adverse party who directly participates in hostilities, with the result set out in Article 33, paragraphs 16 and 17 [of the present code, namely serious injury or death].
Peru, Military and Police Criminal Code, 2010, Article 91(7).
The Republic of Korea’s ICC Act (2007) provides for the punishment of anyone who commits the war crime of “[t]reacherously killing or wounding in violation of international law individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army” in both international and non-international armed conflicts.
Republic of Korea, ICC Act, 2007, Article 13(1)(7).
9. killing or wounding treacherously combatant adversaries.
Senegal, Penal Code, 1965, as amended in 2007, Article 431-3(b)(10) and (d)(9).
(1) Whoever in violation of international law in time of war or armed conflict kills or wounds an enemy who has laid down his weapons or has surrendered unconditionally or has no means of defence, shall be punished by imprisonment of one to fifteen years.
(2) If the murder specified in paragraph 1 of this Article is committed in a perfidious manner or from base motives, the offender shall be punished by imprisonment for a minimum of ten years.
Serbia, Criminal Code, 2005, Article 385.
Under Slovenia’s Penal Code (1994), if the killing of an enemy who has laid down arms or has surrendered at discretion, or has no longer any means of defence, is executed in a “perfidious way”, this constitutes an aggravating circumstance of the war crime.
Slovenia, Penal Code, 1994, Article 379(2).
South Africa’s ICC Act (2002) reproduces the war crimes listed in the 1998 ICC Statute, including “killing or wounding treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army” in international armed conflicts and “killing or wounding treacherously a combatant adversary” in non-international armed conflicts.
South Africa, ICC Act, 2002, Schedule 1, Part 3, §§ (b)(xi) and (e)(ix).
Under Sweden’s Penal Code (1962), as amended in 1998, “the killing or injuring of an opponent by means of some … form of treacherous behaviour” constitutes a crime against international law.
Switzerland, Military Criminal Code, 1927, taking into account amendments entered into force up to 2011, Articles 110 and 112c (1)(d).
Under the UK ICC Act (2001), it is a punishable offence to commit a war crime as defined in Article 8(2)(b)(xi) and (e)(ix) of the 1998 ICC Statute.
Under Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s the Penal Code (1976), as amended in 2001, if the killing of an enemy who has laid down arms or has surrendered, or has no means of defence, has been committed in a “perfidious manner”, this constitutes an aggravating circumstance of the war crime.
Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic, Penal Code, 1976, as amended in 2001, Article 146(2).
Generally speaking, the Code provides that the use of a prohibited method of combat is a war crime, including the “perfidious killing or wounding of members of the enemy army”.
Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic, Penal Code, 1976, as amended in 2001, Article 148(1), including commentary.
bb) The perfidious killing of the two Russian soldiers under Art. 9 para. 2 sub-para. e no. IX of the  ICC Statute must be examined more closely.
In order to define more concretely the requirements of “treacherous killing”, one can draw from the prohibition of perfidy in international armed conflict under Art. 37 para. 1 of the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 relative to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts of 8 June 1977 … , which is also pertinent in non-international armed conflict.
… Assuming that the appellant was directly participating in hostilities (on this matter see Art. 13 para. 3 Additional Protocol II …), it is possible that the appellant acted perfidiously because he did not indicate his direct participation in hostilities by carrying weapons openly or in any other way. In this case, he would have concealed that at the pertinent moment in time he was not entitled to protection and could have been attacked (see the interpretative guidance of the International Committee of the Red Cross on the notion of direct participation in hostilities …) By hiding their weapons, the attackers mislead the Russian soldiers into believing that they did not have to anticipate an attack from the resistant fighter and the appellant and that they were therefore not allowed to attack them.
Germany, Federal Administrative Court, Chechen Refugee case, Judgment, 16 February 2010, §§ 36, 38 and 40–41.
In general, combatants and military objectives are legitimate targets for military attack. Their lives and bodies are endangered by the combat. They can be killed and wounded. However, not every act of combat against them is permissible, and not every military means is permissible. Thus, for example, they can be shot and killed. However, “treacherous killing” and “perfidy” are forbidden (see DINSTEIN, at p. 198).
Israel, High Court of Justice, Public Committee against Torture in Israel case, Judgment, 14 December 2006, § 23.
According to the Report on the Practice of Iraq, perfidy and treachery are absolutely prohibited.
Report on the Practice of Iraq, 1998, Chapter 2.4.
In the reply by the Iraqi Ministry of Defence to a questionnaire, mentioned in the report, reference is made to Article 37 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
Report on the Practice of Iraq, 1998, Reply by the Ministry of Defence to a questionnaire, July 1997, Chapter 2.4.
International humanitarian law in force treats these cases in a relatively complete manner, binding non-State and State actors alike. Feigning to have protected civilian status or another protected status (e.g. member of the medical or religious personnel, member of the UN) in order to kill, injure or capture an adversary constitutes an act of perfidy contrary to international law.
It should be noted that article 35 [now Article 37 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I] does not prohibit perfidy per se, but merely “to kill, injure or capture an adversary by resort to perfidy”. Additionally, it should be noted that, in order to be perfidy, an act must be done “with intent to betray” the confidence created. This was intended to mean that the requisite intent would be an intent to kill, injure or capture by means of the betrayal of confidence. Thus, acts … which are intended merely to save one’s life would not be perfidy.
CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XV, CDDH/III/338, 21 April 1976–11 June 1976, p. 426.
It is thus clear that the prohibition on the treacherous killing or wounding of individuals belonging to the nation or the army of the enemy, as formulated in Article 23(b) of the Regulations, has survived in its entirety.
Yves Sandoz et al. (eds.), Commentary on the Additional Protocols, ICRC, Geneva, 1987, § 1488.
Yves Sandoz et al. (eds.), Commentary on the Additional Protocols, ICRC, Geneva, 1987, § 1493.
Frédéric de Mulinen, Handbook on the Law of War for Armed Forces, ICRC, Geneva, 1987, § 408.
Americas Watch, Violations of the Laws of War by Both Sides in Nicaragua: 1981-1985, New York, March 1985, pp. 33 and 34.
International Institute of Humanitarian Law, Rules of International Humanitarian Law Governing the Conduct of Hostilities in Non-international Armed Conflicts, Rule A4, IRRC, No. 278, 1990, p. 390.

References: § 20
 § 1
 § 512
 § 7
 § 421
 § 8
 § 16
 § 80
 § 20
 § 612
 § 1609
 § 103
 § 8
 § 0230
 § 0413
 § 1704
 § 507
 § 5
 § 12
 § 5
 § 5
 § 5
 § 311
 Art. 3
 § 115
 § 116
 § 2
 § 4
 § 5
 § 5
 § 13
 § 15
 § 104
 § 106
 § 268
 § 268
 § 1
 § 1
 § 11
 § 106
 Art. 9
 Art. 37
 Art. 13
 § 23
 § 1488
 § 1493
 § 408