[colour=gold][u][h1][centre]Empire of Violette[/centre][/h1][/u][/colour]
[centre][img]https://i.imgur.com/fRiTWvK.png[/img][/centre]
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[colour=gold][centre][h2][i]Le Patriote[/i][/h2][/centre][/colour]
[centre][h3][u]Governor Droulez to Stand Trial under Military Court[/u][/h3][/centre]

Scandal has struck Sandao as the governor of Veletian Settumu has been temporarily relieved of office and is scheduled to stand before a court-martial. The long-time administrator of Veletian Settumu, Governor Droulez has been under house arrest since he was implicated in a human trafficking operation in which it is alleged he took part in efforts to transport women from various countries in Settumu to Violette's colony in the region, that the young women would serve as prostitutes for members of the guard. The allegations were unearthed by a Kikitomi reporter, and were considered to be of serious enough merit to warrant both Droulez's immediate suspension and now his subsequent court-martial. Awaiting the completion of proceedings, preliminary administration of the colony's senior affairs has been placed under administration of adjacent offices of the governorship, whilst minor duties have been entrusted to municipal authorities.


A respected veteran who served the Crown loyally under the Victorian Mutiny, helping to maintain order in Veletian Settumu, questions have been raised by some of those concerned by the heinousness of the allegations against Droulez that the officers presiding over the court-martial may offer Governor Droulez considerable sympathy, owing to his record of distinguished service. Care has been taken, however, to select officers whom have never served with Droulez directly, and who are not at all affiliated with his administration or implicated in any of the same charges levied against the governor. Judiciary officials in Confluence have insisted that the truth of the allegations against Governor Droulez will be determined exactly as is legally mandated by the Gendarmerie's code of ethics. Efforts have been taken to ensure that women alleged to have been victims of the trafficking ring may step forward and have their testimony heard, that it might be made entirely clear both the validity of the allegations and the precise nature of who was and was not involved. Neither Her Majesty Empress Tsirine nor General Hebert Féret of the Gendarmerie have made any comment.