Ahmed A. Elsawy is an aspiring scholar, LL.M. researcher at the University of Hamburg, and legal counsel at Mercedes-Benz Egypt. He holds a dual LL.B. (Hons) from the British University in Egypt and London South Bank University, alongside postgraduate studies in Law and Economics at the University of Hamburg. His academic interests lie at the intersection of European law, policymaking, and the economic analysis of law. Alongside his legal practice, he is committed to scholarly research and writing, seeking to combine rigorous legal analysis with interdisciplinary perspectives to contribute to contemporary debates on law, policy, and justice.
This article explores the psychological, legal, and economic motivations behind private retaliation, examining how grief, distrust in legal institutions, and delays in justice can drive individuals toward revenge. Through the Marianne Bachmeier case and blood feuds in Upper Egypt, it highlights the dangers of retaliatory violence and calls for stronger victim support and trust in the rule of law.
