Blood Debt: Feudal Familial Law in the Balkans

In some parts of the Balkans, families still live by a centuries-old law called "the Canon," which recognizes the right to vengeance—if a man from one family kills another, the family of the victim must respond in kind. This "debt" is usually executed by the eldest male member of the family. It is his duty to avenge his loved one—if he refuses, he declared a coward and renounced by his family.

VICE Serbia recently traveled from East Montenegro—where some families have experienced four cycles of vengeance—to the north of Albania, where some children never leave their homes in fear of being killed. Along the way they spoke with families of murder victims who, disappointed by the corruption of the official justice system, have taken judgment and punishment into their own hands.

Up Next: Russian Grave Diggers: http://bit.ly/1yGT9L4

Also check out The VICE Guide to the Balkans: http://bit.ly/1xERxGq

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