Semenov Indicted, Volkova Drops Candidacy

The People's Soviet Republic of Mishalan - A communist land of clockwork robots and cavalry. Fans of Red Alert and steampunk would love this place. And we have cute bears.

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Orion
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Semenov Indicted, Volkova Drops Candidacy

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Semenov showed little respect at his sentencing


After a lengthy trial in the Soviet Court, Yuri Semenov was found guilty of plotting the death of Anatoly Zhukov. Aleksandra Volkova announced that she was dropping out of the race for General Secretary in order to better oversee the trial and eliminate any conflicts of interest. Semenov was formally charged with plotting the death of Zhukov, and in paying for mercenaries to attack the former commander's caravan. Along with Semenov, numerous other conspirators were also arrested and brought to justice. Investigators uncovered a deep plot wherein many so-called mercenaries have actually been on the payroll of Semenov. While the event has thrown the elections into turmoil, it has also been a great victory for the People's Republic in rooting out those who are plotting against the state.

At the trial it was discovered that Semenov had been secretly diverting funds from intelligence for "special operations". These funds were used to pay, train and equip bands of mercenaries ranging in the southern territories. Semenov had been plotting the eventual overthrow of the government, installing himself as dictator, but doing so by rigging the elections. Eliminating opponents was also not out of the question, and Zhukov was conveniently unprotected while touring the region. General Kirov managed to lead several battalions from the army into the region, surrounding and capturing two large mercenary groups, even though the enemy took heavy casualties. Mercenary leaders were interrogated and all admitted to being paid by Semenov to attack Zhukov's caravan, although they admitted they had no idea who was actually in the vehicles. At the sentencing Semenov was charged with the murder of Zhukov and treason against the government. Although execution was considered, in an act of mercy he was ordered to serve hard labor for life in the gulag.

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Volkova presiding over the court proceedings


In an unexpected move, Aleksandra Volkova announced that she was dropping her bid for the position of General Secretary so that she could fulfill her obligations as Chief Justice. Citing an "irreconcilable conflict of interests" she stated that her first duty was to uphold the laws of the People's Republic, and that as Chief Justice she could not be expected to oversee a trial against a rival candidate. The announcement immediately silenced opponents who had eagerly geared up a smear campaign to accuse Volkova of divided loyalties. It also further cemented her own public image as an honest agency of the government. Vokova further announced that she would be backing the campaign of Nikolai Kirov, stating that he was the "most capable" candidate for the job and the most willing "be at the front-lines", indicating that Rykov, while admirable, was often aloof from the realities of the Mishalanski people.

The sentencing of Semenov and announcement by Volkova has essentially narrowed down the race to Kirov and Rykov. Both men have return to Mishagrad to ramp up their campaigns as the hour of elections draws near. Kirov requested, and was granted, a leave of absence from the military following the conclusion of the most recent military campaign in the south so that he could pursue the position of General Secretary more fully. Rykov, for his part, has launched an aggressive media campaign, and gained support from many of the more affluent families of Mishalan. It remains to be seen whether Kirov's more grassroots-like campaign will gain traction over Rykov's strong ties with the old families of the country.

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