After the defeat of the Government defenders in 1939, Franco seized power and dealt ruthlessly with his opponents.

They knew that the countryside had risen against them, and plainly meant to deal with the rebellion ruthlessly, at its centre in Bywater.

By eliminating his dangerous rival, Bokassa demonstrated his ability to deal ruthlessly with dissidents and political opponents.

Also the city-state seemed to reward those leaders known to deal ruthlessly with its subject peoples.

They will deal ruthlessly with all imperfection in order to achieve mankind's goal.

"If what you have gleaned is indeed the truth, then we must deal with her swiftly and ruthlessly."

He kept to himself, and when necessity demanded that he deal harshly, he ruthlessly dealt so with those who were themselves so inclined.

"You malign me," Rafik said, though he knew that she had overheard him dealing rather ruthlessly with some suppliers.

They said he was anemic and were ruthlessly dealing with that, and his cross-addiction to heroin and coke.

Since then he's been said to have lived there, marked out his own territory, guards it jealously and deals ruthlessly with would-be invaders.