[Lauchenoiria]

Lauchenoirian Guardian

Trial of Xiomeran journalists for arson begins
25th October 2019

The trial of two Xiomeran journalists, Tlixō and Xōne, for attempted arson following an attack on the Xiomeran Embassy in Buttercity, began today. The two journalists, who are wanted for treason in Xiomera, and who Lauchenoiria refused to extradite as the charges were considered “politically motivated”, were detained in August after attempting to leave Lauchenoiria.

In July, Xiomera requested the extradition of the two journalists, who were wanted for running a media operation critical of the Xiomeran government. The request was denied by Lauchenoiria, with Sandra Pavía saying that “the so-called ‘crimes’ the Xiomerans are accused of have no equivalent under Lauchenoirian law”. After uncertainty following the passage of an updated extradition law, the decision to refuse the extradition was upheld.

However, in early August, the journalists attacked the Xiomeran Embassy by throwing a brick through a window and launching a Molotov cocktail in the building. The pair were later arrested but then released. Following an attempt by the pair to board a plane to Xiomera after the detention of their families, however, the pair were remanded in custody until their trial, which began today.

The trial is expected to attract international attention, as the pair are still wanted in Xiomera, and many consider the charges even in Lauchenoiria, to be politically motivated. Human rights groups have called for the release of the pair, and have also been putting pressure on the Xiomeran government to release their families.

The trial is expected to last around a week.