ATADO Collective Court Ruling Six

The Asperian Trade and Defense Organization's Collective Court Ruling Number Six, commonly referred to as the Carkhian Alliance Case, was a case brought up in the Asperian Trade and Defense Organization's Collective Court of member nations against the member nation of Carkhia. The case was brought on by Xevenia against Carkhia, regarding Carkhia's refusal to invoke Article III of the body's constitution and declare war against Paladinia in the Asperian Roofball Conflict. Xevenia stated that this lack of support was a violation of the organization's key rules, and called for strict punishment against the nation, as laid out in the constitution.

The Court soon ruled after the minimum of 4 days of deliberation starting on January 6th in Mechanicsburg, USQ, that Carkhia had in fact violated the rules of the organization, and imposed trade regulations favorable to others as well as a fine of military equipment and funds amounting to $11.2 million against the nation. Reactions to the case were largely supportive, with Carkhia's GTNEC apologizing numerous times to the court, with his team pleading guilty to the charges. The United States of Quentin, against which the infraction was committed, largely supported the case, however not as much as Xevenia. The other two nations also largely supported the case, and the Asperian Political Journal called the case, "a fine example of how the organization is supposed to run."

Background

The infraction up for review in the case first began with the start of the Asperian Roofball Conflict, in which the country of Paladinia, in retaliation for being treated unfairly in a roofball match, shot down a Quentinian plane carrying civilians over Vidgmar. After an investigation by the Quentinian Intelligence Department revealed Paladinia's Air Force to be the culprit, the USQ declared war. Since the USQ viewed the incident as an official military attack on its citizens, it requested for Article III of the ATADO Constitution to be invoked by all members.

Immediately after, Ravensonia, Xevenia, and the Protectorates of Allia declared war on Paladinia, and two days later Docneighland also declared war, mainly because of its longer process of democracy. One week after the request for invocation, Carkhia had not declared war, and a conference by the GTNEC of Carkhia Carkhan Johnson revealed the reason to be that they feared the involvement of Bymaria in the war, and did not want a direct threat to their land. Two weeks after the invocation request, Carkhia did break off all trade with the aggressors, including the Republic of Megatridimensional Order, Paladinia and Mortification, however the ATADO Emergency Command Assembly voted to temporarily suspend the nation from the organization on September 11th of 2019.

The war continued on, and soon the ATADO forces were victorious, with the Treaty of Bedlam being signed to end the war. Carkhia was not a part of the treaty, and thus did not receive economic benefits it entailed to the allies of the USQ. On December 21st, the Emergency Command Assembly reinstated Carkhia with its last act, and disbanded. In a special conference with key leaders, the USQ decided not to press charges against Carkhia, however Xevenia believed that it was unfair for Carkhia to not be punished while Xevenia had supported the USQ while knowing Gallanathia, their close neighbor, could be pulled in as well.

Case

On January 3rd, Xevenia officially accused Carkhia of violating the rules of ATADO by not invoking Article III while in a situation of invasion against an ally. On January 6th, representatives from all nations met in Mechanicsburg, USQ, to participate in the case, which would be decided by the judges of the ATADO Collective Court. Carkhia's official position was to plead guilty of the charges, and the opening statements by the nation reflected its regret at not intervening. Xevenia's opening statements were respectful towards Carkhia, however asked for heavy charges against the nation.

After presenting initial evidence and then a recess the first day, the participants came back for a second day, and presented evidence. By this time, the case was decided in fact, however another two days were still required by the ATADO Constitution to be considered legal. On the third day, participants gathered in the court chambers and played each other in a game of Jay Three Emerge, lightening tensions and drawing much media speculation. Another popular activity the third day was a game of rock paper scissors by the judges of the court, which was won by Justice Clint Hawk of Allia.

The fourth day marked the conclusion of the case, with the court ruling 7-0 to convict Carkhia, charging it with a $11.2 million fine, along with a fine of military equipment including two naval ships, anti-aircraft weapons, and tanks, and a trade tax against the nation with the other ATADO nations.

Reaction and Aftermath

Reaction

Reactions from the ATADO community were generally supportive of the trial and verdict, with the Asperian Political Journal saying it was, "a fine example of how the organization is supposed to run." Commentator Bernie Bucksheath reflected on the third day of the trial with positivity, saying it was good that the nations were able to remember they were on the same side. President of the USQ Kyle Lovestington said about the trial, "It was great to see how great we have made this organization, that even in the midst of a bitter trial, the two sides can still reflect on our shared culture and values."

Not all reactions were positive however, with the Xevenian Veteran's Association's spokesperson saying it was, "disgusting to see such frivolity and child-like attitude towards a serious trial, on how to deal with a war crime." Some other negative reactions came from Xevenia and other nations, however most was positive.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the case was immediate, with Carkhia transferring money to Xevenia for the case and the USQ for the infraction, along with supplies including the SSX Cropyielder and SSX Bricklayer being transferred to the USQ. The trade tax is set to take effect on April 5th, 2020, mainly affecting traders in the Venturian Sea and governmental products.