@CharlesTwiine I think you are confusing between realism theory of international relations with lawful execution. Realism is an analytical framework for understanding power, interests, state behaviour and political consequences. it is not a doctrine that celebrates violence or turns every exercise of state authority into theatre. A realist like me can examine the strategic purpose, domestic political incentives and reputational costs of such an event without endorsing it. The real question is not whether that is “realism,” but what political purpose the spectacle serves with execution, it could be legal and whether it achieved that purpose, and what consequences or message it portrays to the international spectators. Explaining state behaviour is not the same as defending it and as a realist, my interest is in the state behavior and not defending it's action. So to conclude, in realism we only explain state behavior.