[Lauchenoiria]

Arenas rose, still slightly annoyed at himself for his handling of the Moore case – it could have, and should have, gone much better in his opinion.

“Your honour, Jonas Kelley was Suleman Chaher’s primary aide throughout his time as Prime Minister of Lauchenoiria. He was Chaher’s right-hand man, privy to important discussions, and trusted with carrying out Chaher’s orders. In the early days of the war, Chaher ordered Kelley to arrest all Skodenian and Laeralian citizens – an order which Kelley carried out thoroughly and willingly. He has since fled Lauchenoiria and presently resides in Gonhog.

The systematic rounding-up of all Laeralian and Skodenian citizens in Lauchenoiria began before either of those nations was at war with Lauchenoiria. The arrests began on the 24th May. Skoden was not at war with Lauchenoiria until the 13th June, and Laeral the day after, on the 14th. Therefore, this was no internment of citizens of a hostile nation – this was a targeted attack on the citizens of two nations who had, at the time, made no hostile move against Chaher’s government.

Documents were sent to every police station in Lauchenoiria, ordering the mass detention of Laeralites and Skodenians – an order refused by many police officers, who were then fired by the Chaher regime – by Kelley. The records kept by the Chaher regime show that the documents were written and sent by Jonas Kelley.

Kelley coordinated the mass detention of innocent Laeralites and Skodesmen in Lauchenoiria – including tourists who had only been in Lauchenoiria for brief periods, and even children. There is no provision in Lauchenoirian law under which these detentions would have been legal. Kelley is responsible for the terror felt by so many innocent Laeralians and Skodenians during the early period of the war.”

*

Eddie Hobson stood, straightening his back.

“Your honour, Jonas Kelley is not responsible for the mass detention of Laeralian and Skodenian citizens. The blame for that resides solely with Suleman Chaher, who unfortunately is no longer with us. Kelley, in his role as Chaher’s aide, primarily brought Chaher coffee and delivered letters and briefings – hardly a war crime.

Kelley had nothing to do with the policies of the Chaher administration, he was merely an assistant, who played no role in policy development or in carrying out said policies. As for his current residence in Gonhog, this is due to a backlash against anyone in Lauchenoiria who was associated in any way with Chaher’s government, not in some kind of attempt to flee justice.

Jonas Kelley played no role in the war. He merely delivered documents. If he is guilty because of his association with Chaher then so too is every postman who has ever delivered the letters of any undiscovered common criminal. Kelley is innocent, and the blame for the detention of individuals from Laeral and Skoden lies solely on Suleman Chaher.”