They have to pay the blood money to the family of the murdered guy and they'll be free. The strange part is not this one though. I'm not sure about the other Islamic countries but in Iran if you kill someone and you sentence to death the family of the one who's been murdered will have to pay the blood-money of YOU (the murderer) to your family and then you'll be executed. But if the murdered guy's family pardon you, your family have to pay the blood-money and you'll be free
In Iran, you can escape the death penalty by paying money to the family of the killed, if the family accepts it. If they do, the felon gets jail time instead.
At least that makes a bit more sense than letting them free completely.
I think it's up to you to interpret it though. In the verse above it's generally said that "eye for an eye" is for your own good. I don't see any obligation in it.
I think it's up to you to interpret it though. In the verse above it's generally said that "eye for an eye" is for your own good. I don't see any obligation in it.