Kalistan

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"Month of violence" in Sulari as Police Raids kill 25
Civil Rights Advocates loudly criticize "Qualified Immunity Law"
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
February 5, 5693


Nighttime raids against suspected Mob establishments have Kalistanis wondering about civil liberties

The war of the police against the so-called Undzer Shtik Mob seems to have hit its peak this week as the nightly raids into neighborhoods, businesses, and in Sulari's streets appears to be abating. Since January 5th, following the controversial passage of the "Qualified Immunity Bill" in the National Assembly, which codified impunity for Sulari's Special Investigations Division in their war against organized crime, passed with a vote of 42- 35- 2 (one of the abstentions was from The Chancellor of the Empire herself, even though she introduced the legislation) the Sulari police force has been out and about arresting people from their homes and businesses who are alleged associates of the Undzer Shtik Mob in Sulari. Simialr arrests were made around the nation, but by far the major amount of the activity has been in Sulari.

"It's like, once they killed Maxwell, the Government had decided it was no longer playing," said Tomas Suarez of Sulari. "We have learned that once the sun goes down, it's like hunting season for these cops and we just stay off the streets. We lock our doors and we say our prayers."

Civil Rights advocates have loudly protested the heavy handed police tactics, and the confrontations have themselves occasionally turned violent. "Two weeks ago, in the Sun Coast neighborhood, protestors pelted police with bottles, stones and food," said witness Roger Howard. "And the cops lost their minds, fired tear gas into the crowd and dispersed them, and... then just sort of carried on with their raid." Four people were injured in that exchange, and were all treated at local hospitals, but were released without charges.

"We say we have a country that is based on law, on the rule of law," said Civil Rights activist Marcia Nelson of Sulari. "But are the people these police are taking into custody, are their rights being acknowledged? The people being picked up off the street? The people whose businesses are being raided and then in a couple instances burned by the police? This is insanity. The police force has gone wild. And who protects us from you?" Numerous civil rights organizations said they intend to file suit on behalf of 19 individuals who were extrajudicially killed in Sulari in three separate shootouts with police, which they argue the police themselves instigated. "We intend to see to it that civil rights and due process are protected and people who did this are held accountable: Without those we the people don't have much left in this nation."

Her Highness, the Princess Regent's office issued a short statement on the police violence last week.

"These criminals, who feel that they themselves are free to act with absolute impunity, exist, by their own admission, well outside the law. Why would they then demand the protections of the law when they are rounded up and held to account for their outlaw behaviors? You don't get to be a criminal and then scream about how your rights are being violated when you are arrested for your criminality. That's insane. We all have a duty to this society, and most people do their so they can enjoy the benefits of society. We pay for our freedoms by preforming our civic duties and maintaining public order. But these people spend their days and nights abrogating their duty, and yet still expect to enjoy the benefits of society. That is absurd. They have a mob, that's fine. But we are the State. If they wish for peace for themselves and their families, let them turn themselves in peacefully, let them stand trial for their criminality, and let them be judged, by the law. If they wish to live outside the law, they do not deserve the protection of the law."

The raids of 17-21 January were the most violent raids to date, leading to the deaths of some 45 Kalistanis, including 4 police officers in various shoot outs across the city. Most of those who were killed, according to police sources, were associates of the Undzer Shtik Mob, which suggests that many of those who were arrested earlier in the month were naming names and providing information. Overall, there have been more than 250 arrests in connection with the Organized crime investigation, nearly all of them happening in January and 85% of them occurring within Sulari Free City, and police say they are inspiring a siege mentality among the leadership of the organization.

Police raids overnight in Sulari have slowed way down within the last week. There have been no reported large scale police raids in the Free City since January 27. A recent poll of Sulari residents showed a solid base of support for the actions of the police, with 54% saying they either agreed or mostly agreed that these raids were necessary to push back against organized Criminality, while 27% said they either disagree or mostly disagree. Of those who agree, many of the reasons revolve around a sense of business and fairness: Many asked the question why should criminals have the opportunity to break the law and get rich doing so while non-criminals have to live more modestly, or by complaining that corruption and racketeering lead to higher prices because those involved have to pass on the corruption in the form of price hikes, to consumers. Those opposed complained mostly about civil rights and civil liberties being violated, and a somewhat large number also expressed fear that the power given to police would not be taken back when the crisis was over, and this is a slippery slope to totalitarianism.

@TheRepublic