[Sanctaria]

Churcher nodded. "I thank the defendant for her plea and will note it when it comes to sentencing". She looked down at the papers and say one of the most controversial cases was now before her. Lauchenoiria v. Moore. The sparse, but noisy, protests outside the courthouse in Nicene were all about this one case, and she was aware it was an divisive issue back in Lauchenoiria too.

"The Clerk will now call TRC-A-16, Lauchenoiria et al v. Moore", Churcher began, "and I will warn the Court for the first and only time that I will not accept disturbance in this Commission. I will not hesitate to kick people out and I will not hesitate to hold people in contempt of court - the sentence of which in Sanctaria is left entirely to the presiding judge's discretion. Clerk?"

The Clerk stood. "TRC-A-17, Lauchenoiria v. Moore please. Mr. Arenas?"

[Lauchenoiria]

Arenas shared a glance with Sheridan. He’d had the misfortune to have to discuss this case with her, given Kerlile’s desire to prosecute Moore also. He’d thought Kerlile’s arguments against Moore weak, and their desire to see Moore found guilty had only added to the controversy surrounding the Moore case at home. Everyone in Lauchenoiria had an opinion on Laura Moore – either she was a heinous war criminal responsible for every death in Lauchenoiria ever, or she was the saviour of democracy and a hero for this age. Nobody was neutral.

“Your honour, Laura Moore, former Prime Minister of Lauchenoiria played a major role in the activities of the Lauchenoirian Resistance. Alongside Jennifer Hale and Leanna Walker, Moore was one of the main commanders of the rebel group throughout the conflict. After fleeing the capital and abandoning any attempt at a diplomatic solution, Moore began to coordinate a number of terrorist activities carried about by the rebels.

Moore made no attempt to stop the war from happening, or to pursue a diplomatic solution. She was in contact with Jennifer Hale, passing orders to Hale to attack cities and continue the war. She is responsible for the deaths which occurred during the war. Her unwillingness to try and prevent conflict led to the deaths of thousands of Lauchenoirians, all while she claimed to represent them.

Laura Moore’s inaction in trying to prevent the war, and indeed her encouragement of it rather than pursuing a diplomatic option, was the cause of this conflict. While Chaher’s actions may have been inappropriate and illegal, it was Laura Moore’s actions which led to armed conflict and death. She encouraged the terrorist activities of the rebels, leading to yet more death and destruction. This conflict occurred on Moore’s watch, and she is responsible for what occurred.”

*

Ilene Monahan, who was defending Moore as well as Juárez, was fairly confident she would be successful. She had been rather surprised when speculation surrounding the possibility of Laura Moore being brought before the TRC had first started. Moore was hardly your typical war criminal (unlike many Kerlians).

“Your honour, we reject utterly the charges laid before this court. The extent of Moore’s involvement in the conflict has been grossly overexaggerated. Her contact with Hale during the early days of the war was very limited, and included no discussion of military strategy. The first attack on Annatown by Hale was not ordered by Moore – indeed, she had no knowledge that any such plan was in motion.

The claim that Laura Moore did not try to seek a diplomatic solution is also entirely false. On the day of Chaher’s coup, one member of Laura Moore’s security team was shot dead in front of her, leading to her head of security, Katya Hartwood and her aide Peter Fischer to advise Moore to flee immediately – a decision made in seconds and designed to save Moore’s life and the lives of those in her company.

While in hiding, Moore examined the possibility of returning to the capital, however it quickly became clear that Chaher intended to detain and likely execute Moore. Therefore, she was unable to return to Buttercity. Her preferred course of action was to leave the country, and from there seek a diplomatic solution. However, with Chaher’s extensive searches of all ships and airplanes leaving Lauchenoiria, this option quickly became impossible.

Moore then remained in hiding, and yet still attempted to reach out to foreign leaders in an attempt to seek a peaceful conclusion. Due to Chaher’s blocks on the internet, she was unable to communicate with anyone directly. She still attempted to send messages out of the country. While Moore still sought a diplomatic solution, Chaher’s troops were killing opposition politicians, imprisoning journalists and detaining Kerlian refugees and condemning them to torture and death by sending them back. Moore was still hoping for peace on the day Hale attacked Annatown.

Your honour, Laura Moore did try to stop a conflict. That she failed, is plainly obvious – but the attempt was made. She did not seek a war, she did not attempt to make it worse, and she was the first to accept the invitation of peace talks when it was extended, as she desired the war to finish as quickly as possible. Her role in the Lauchenoirian Resistance was very limited, primarily limited to speaking to pro-resistance media and attempting to gather the support of allies in the fight for democracy. None of what Laura Moore did during the war can in any way be construed as a ‘war crime’.”

[Sanctaria]

"Mr. Arenas, you say 'this conflict occurred on Moore's watch and she is responsible for what occurred' - did it happen on her watch?" Churcher looked more stern than she had done throughout the hearings. "Earlier in Lauchenoiria v. Hale you inferred that the first shots of the war happened after Caher had assumed office. When I asked if you felt the coup d'etat was the first shots of the war, you declined to answer. Or failed to answer. So I'll ask you again, Mr. Arenas - at what point do you consider the war to have begun?"

[Lauchenoiria]

Arenas was silent for a few moments. "I am of the opinion," he began, "that the war began at the first battle of Annatown. However, Laura Moore still saw herself as responsible for Lauchenoiria when that occurred. She did not accept Chaher as a legitimate Prime Minister. And so she proceeded to encourage conflict."

[Sanctaria]

"Who was Prime Minister of Lauchenoiria at the time of the first battle of Annatown, Mr. Arenas?" She looked at him intensely, as if trying to burrow inside his head.

"Look, Mr. Arenas, you're the prosecution. You have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that she did encourage conflict. All the defence has to do is give a reasonable explanation for what is presented. And what defence has rebut thus far tallies with the undisputed evidence - we know her security was shot dead at the coup, so of course fleeing the city was going to be a more immediate priority. Surely you accept that, yes?" She paused.

"And we know she was the first to accept the peace talks - that has been confirmed by the Sanctarian government. That doesn't tally with your accusation of abandoning attempts at diplomatic solutions. And further into the conflict, it became well established to all both within Lauchenoiria and beyond that Walker had vanished, would you agree?

Therefore would it not be a reasonable defence for Moore to have felt she was in danger if she did not remain in hiding? And are you disputing that Chaher did have blocks on the internet and communication was tightly controlled?" She stopped for a moment.

"So your evidence Mr. Arenas. I need proof that Moore thwarted attempts to resolve the conflict. Evidence she directed Hale to carry out attacks. This is all hearsay at best - I haven't even seen anything circumstantial that links Hale and Moore on Annatown other than (a) they knew each other prior to the war, and (b) were both considered leaders of the rebellion."

[Lauchenoiria]

"At the time of the battle of Annatown, Suleman Chaher was Prime Minister," Arenas conceded, unhappy. "And yes, I do accept that on the day of the coup, fleeing the city was a priority for Moore. However, while she may claim that she sought a peaceful outcome from that point on, that is hard to believe. Chaher did indeed have blocks on the internet, however these were easily circumvented by a many people - everyone from teenagers playing video games to Alex Marwick making pro-resistance broadcasts were circumventing them. It is not unreasonable to suggest Moore could have found a way. Moore did not try very hard at first to find a peaceful solution - if, indeed, she tried at all."

[Sanctaria]

"Mr. Arenas, are you suggesting Laura Moore has the same technological capability as teenagers in circumventing internet and communication blocks?" Churcher managed a smile. "Political Science majors in Lauchenoiria learn much different things than those in Sanctaria, clearly!"

"Ms. Monahan, do you have anything further?"

[Lauchenoiria]

"Only to reiterate that Laura Moore did seek a peaceful solution, and that she has no experience with computers as can be seen from her academic and employment histories," Monahan finished, smiling, satisfied with her performance, and certain that Arenas' case against Moore was far too weak.

[Sanctaria]

Churched nodded at Monahan and again at the Clerk.

"Ahem. TRC-A-18, Lauchenoiria v. Kelley please."

[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.”

[Sanctaria]

"Mr. Arenas, did Mr. Kelley have any statutory role? The papers ordering these detentions were signed by Chaher as Prime Minister, yes?" Churcher asked inquisitively.

[Lauchenoiria]

"Mr. Kelley's official position was Chaher's personal aide. And yes, the papers were signed by Chaher, however as I have mentioned they were written by Kelley - who was the one who came up with the detailed plan on how the detentions should be carried out, and what the scope of that should be. He chose to include children on the list of who should be detained, not Chaher. Chaher later agreed to this part on the advice of Kelley, tapes from cameras installed in the parliament building, ironically by the Chaher regime, have shown," Arenas finished.

[Sanctaria]

"Mr. Hobson - care to respond?", Churcher looked straight at the defence lawyer, no emotion on her face.

[Lauchenoiria]

"These same tapes mentioned by Mr. Arenas showed Suleman Chaher giving the order: 'I want you to arrest every Laeralite in this nation until you are sure none of them are intelligence agents,' were his exact words. 'Every Laeralite' would imply children as well as adults. In the tape mentioned by Mr. Arenas, Kelley was not seen giving 'advice', but rather clarifying whether or not Chaher still wanted the children detained. Chaher answered in the affirmative. This was Chaher's policy, Kelley was not responsible for forming any part of it," Hobson said firmly, eyeing Arenas.

[Sanctaria]

"I must admit, I'd be surprised if Laeral utilised children as intelligence agents. But I've heard enough. Clerk." Churcher scribbled a quick note in her pad.

"TRC-A-19, Lauchenoiria v. Santos, please", the Clerk said, who too was busy writing to even look up.

[Lauchenoiria]

Arenas was rather relieved that this was his final case. He would finish on a high, this was possibly the most uncontroversial case in front of the TRC. Nobody liked Anthony Santos.

“Your honour, Anthony Santos was an interrogator hired by the Chaher regime to work in the detention facility where Leanna Walker was held after her attempt on Chaher’s life. Santos had previously been employed by the Communist dictatorship in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before fleeing Lauchenoiria in 1993 when fair and democratic elections were held in the country.

At the outbreak of war last year, Santos was a wanted criminal, after an investigation into his activities in the 80s and 90s, ordered by Walker herself, found that he had tortured a large number of individuals during this time. He remained outside of Lauchenoiria until contacted by Charissa Clarke on behalf of Chaher and given amnesty in exchange for his services in interrogating Walker.

While in prison, Walker was tortured until she confessed to ordering a false-flag operation where a false assassination attempt on Keitha Noguera was staged in order to convince Noguera to back Walker over Chaher. She was kept in solitary confinement for 27 days on the orders of Santos, as well as being physically tortured during so-called interrogation sessions. Santos also carried out the unlawful execution of Leanna Walker, and disposed of her body in a location he has yet to reveal.

Walker was not the only prisoner tortured by Walker. Several army officers who refused to follow Chaher’s commands were detained in the same facility, and reported being beaten and waterboarded, as well as witnessing the screams of Leanna Walker while she was ‘interrogated’. Santos is a criminal, who is willing to torture anyone in support of the so-called Communist cause.”

*

Jax Rollins had been a member of the Lauchenoirian Communist Party since the age of 16. Santos had refused to be represented by someone who was not in his party, and though Rollins hadn’t exactly been thrilled to take the job, he’d agreed the moment he heard the amount of money being offered. After all, he didn’t even have to say much.

“Your honour, my client Anthony Santos pleads guilty to the charges as stated. He also wishes the court to be informed that Leanna Walker’s body was cremated on the orders of Charissa Clarke.”

Santos was, after all, a pragmatist. He had attempted to flee to Conternia at the end of the war, but had been apprehended by the Conternian authorities. When Rollins had visited him in a Conternian prison, and they had discussed the case, Santos had known he stood no chance, and that he might as well admit it. Which was fine by Rollins – he got paid the same regardless.

[Sanctaria]

"Thank you Mr. Rollins.", Churcher flicked back through her papers. "Ms... Ms. Mardell, you're representing Ms. Clarke. I think it would be prudent for you to say a few words in response to Mr. Santos' allegations? Is Ms. Mardell in the courtroom?" Churcher looked up.

[Lauchenoiria]

"I am, your honour," said Mardell. "Rollins is correct. Clarke did indeed order Walker's body cremated, which was the wish of Leanna Walker according to her will."

[Sanctaria]

"How considerate", Churcher said deadpan. "I think we can move on. Mr. Rollins, thank your client for his plea."

The Clerk rose this time to announce the next case. "TRC-B-06, Laeral v. Sanchez, please. Who is representing Laeral?"

[Laeral]

"I am, Your Honor," said Therese Lu-Marechal, the attorney appointed by the Laeralian Ministry of Justice to carry out the Laeralian prosecution. She had few ties to the war in Lauchenoiria, a factor which had probably contributed to her selection for this role. She had heard rumors that there had been plans to replace her once the new government took office, but the Justice Minister must have in the end decided to keep her, since she was standing in the courtroom today.

"Your Honor, General Eduardo Sanchez was a high-ranking commander in the Lauchenoirian Army. After Prime Minister Laura Moore was removed from office under legally dubious circumstances, Sanchez chose to serve Suleman Chaher's government as the leader of the junta's forces, despite the opposition of President Leanna Walker. Sanchez worked closely with Kerlian military officers such as Colonel Chloe Conde, doubtlessly becoming aware of war crimes committed by Kerlian forces yet failing to take action against them, thus abetting these crimes.

Under GA Resolution 458, "Command Responsiblity", Sanchez is criminally liable for war crimes which this court determines were committed by forces under his command. By remaining in command of Lauchenoirian troops rather than removing himself from the command structure, Sanchez led many Lauchenoirian soldiers to aid Kerlian and Gonhogian forces in committing war crimes, while granting legitimacy to Chaher and later Clarke in their takeover. While it is the belief of the Laeralian counsel that Sanchez did not play a primary role in atrocities detailed elsewhere as committed by Junta forces, Sanchez nevertheless took no action to prevent soldiers under his command from committing these crimes, as well as otherwise abetting said crimes through his actions as a military commander."

[Lauchenoiria]

“Your honour,” began Austin Beake, Sanchez’s lawyer, “my client Eduardo Sanchez pleads guilty to all charges. He would like the court to know he regrets deeply his role in the war, especially his cooperation with the Matriarchy of Kerlile.”

When Beake had met Sanchez, he’d felt sorry for the man. He looked like he’d aged a decade in the last year, and he’d taken to praying every day – even though he’d been an atheist at the outbreak of the war. The war had changed Sanchez, and he was never going to recover, regardless of what happened.

[Sanctaria]

"Ok", Churcher said simply. "Mr. Sanchez, thank you for your plea. It will be considered when sentencing. Clerk, next case please".

The Clerk stood once more. Straight-backed and pompous, he was the typical Sanctarian civil servant. "TRC-B-07, Laeral v. Long please."

[Laeral]

"Henderson Long is a Slokaisian citizen who was exposed to propaganda produced by the Lauchenoirian government under Prime Minister Suleman Chaher," said Therese Lu-Marechal, the Laeralian counsel. "Long was severely influenced by this propaganda, becoming convinced that Chaher was "the son of God". Long traveled to Laeral in order to assassinate then-President Nicholas Brennan, attempting to shoot him as he attended the Dragon Boat festival in Laeralsford. Long opened fire at Brennan as he stood in a crowd, severely injuring a bystander, a young woman named Chloe Gervais, who has since been unable to walk. Interviews with Long following his capture by police indicate that Long is severely mentally disturbed, although he does not show regret for his actions. Therefore, the Laeralian counsel urges leniency in his case."

[Sanctaria]

"Thank you", Churcher said. "Defence please?"

Churcher listened patiently as Long's attorney confirmed the guilty plea and repeated the call for leniency. "Thank you for your plea, it will be taken into consideration".

The Clerk stood almost as soon as Churcher finished speaking and called the next case. "TRC-C-04, Libertas Omnium Maximus v. Chevroux, please".

[Libertas Omnium Maximus]

"Your honor," began William Blunt in his signature smug fashion. He stood quickly, fetched his notes, and began to speak.

"I do intend to prove, beyond any reasonable doubt, that Mrs Chevrox did willfully, and with full intent to cause injury or death, aid in the orchestration of Vilav Trotsky's attempted assault of the Maximusian Senate Building."

Blunt turned his head toward the Kerlilian seats and smirked.

"Mrs Chevrox's rented car was seen by police body cams leaving a motel, the scene police operation back in August. Officers had been surveying an old motel near St. Augustine for three days and could definitively call that the motel was hideout of a wanted criminal, Vilav Trotsky. He is now dead but was the perpetrator of numerous terrorist bombings since the early 2010s.

He was surrounded and could only have escaped via Chevrox's van. Officers lost him in the confusion as conclusive grenades were used.

Chevrox came to LOM via an airplane and was admitted into the nation on the grounds of fleeing the conflict area. We could hardly let people in fast enough and she must have easily slipped through our security. She then rented a van from the airport and was not seen agin until the escape of-"

"Objection." came a voice from the Kerlilian section, Chevrox's lawyer.

"Sustained." was Churcher's rapid response.

Blunt sighed. Chevrox certainly wasn't going to accept her fate without a fight.

"Apologies, your honor, Chevrox was not seen again after the rental. Her vehicle was seen leaving the motel, clearly the escape vehicle of Mr Trotsky. His vehicle had been disabled by gunfire during the escape.

This may seem to you like a simple aiding and abetting case, not one fit for trials such as this, but I shall remind you that only a few days after Trotsky's escape he assaulted the Maximusian Senate and killed numerous individuals.

It was not just Trotsky alone. No. He was aided my various other international terrorists. They all believed in the destruction of the Maximusian Government. This would be very convenient for Kerlilie, a nation actively at war with the Maximusian Government. They had all been contacted in the time that Mrs. Chevrox was in LOM.

The only logical conclusion that can be held, your honor, is that Mrs Chevrox orchestrated this entire affair to further her nations interests. She had the motive: Glory for the matriarchy and the destruction of the Maximusian senate (had the attack been successful, many many senators would have lost their lives, likely enough to seriously reduce the effectiveness of the Government for a while). She had the means: She was free in LOM, had a car, and enough money to get wherever she needed to go. She had the opportunity: Her car was seen where Trotsky escaped. Motive, Means, Opportunity. The prosecution rests, your honor. "

Blunt exhaled deeply and returned to his table. He cracked his knuckles, preparing for the defense.