""3: The people who killed bin Laden were members of the US Navy SEALS, a duly constituted, recognised and fully authorised branch of the armed forces of the United States of America.""

But not a duly constituted, recognised and fully authorised branch of the armed forces of the country in which they were operating, (in case you've forgotten) Pakistan.

""4: The people who killed bin Laden were acting under orders from their Commander-in-Chief, who personally authorised this mission.""

I see, you are saying that this Commander-in-Chief has some officially authorised role in the government of the Sovereign State of Pakistan, which permits him to carry out military actions within its borders. Isn't he a bit stretched running two countries so far apart?

""No grounds whatsoever could be established to substantiate calling this the act of a "vigilante", or could describe it as an example of "vigilantism".""

If there is an internationally established maximum size for a group whose activities can be described as vigilantism, perhaps you would direct me to the relevant statute? Authorisation has yet to be tested, let alone proved.

Don T.