Kalistan

[Doc]

Former Minister of Defense unexpectedly sacked
No reasons provided for replacement of Military Chief
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 1, 5673


Former Defense Minister, Captain Morris Grant taken into custody in Kaliburg last week

In an unexpected move at the top of Their Imperial Majesty's Defense Ministry, Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue announced that Their Imperial Majesties' Defense Minister, Captain Morris Grant, has been removed from office, following an undisclosed issue. Reports from the Capital were completely unclear about the reasons for the Defense Minister's removal from an office he has occupied for scarcely three months.

"As far as we can tell, the, now former, Captain of the Kalistani Regular Army has not been charged with a crime," said Capital watcher Robert Bashear. "The police took Mr. Grant into custody and detained him at the Free City's Main Police Station for more than 6 hours before releasing him on he own recognizance. He was asked why he had been taken into custody, and responded that he is not at liberty to comment on an ongoing investigation. He only added that he had formerly resigned both his commission, as well as his position in the Government and that he was at liberty." The former captain did not say whether charges would be filed at a later point.

We are also not sure if the arrest and detention of the former Defense Minister has anything to do with the arrest of seven officers with the Southern Army in Suldanor. The only thing that ties the two events together is the fact that Captain Grant was an artillery Battery Commander in the Southern Army. There doesn't appear to be any other connection between the Captain and the arrested officers. Charges range from insubordination to issuing illegal orders to misappropriation of Government property. While the Chancellor of the Empire was clear that her office would not comment on ongoing investigations and proceedings out of a desire not to prejudice the court, others have stated that a small crime ring had formed among the arrested individuals, who had been committing larceny from within the ranks for years.

The Acting Defense Secretary, Captain Allison Kinney, named to replace Mr. Grant, who is said to be cooperating with the Government on all counts, said she has ordered a review of several Corps in the Army South. "The review is certainly related to the arrests of these officers," said the Captain, a Militia Captain from Ananto. " We do not seek to cast any aspersions onto the Army South, but it would seem there is at least a permissive culture that has grown up in that unit which encourages individuals to plot together, for their own benefit. It is not only unprofessional, but if this conduct is tried and found to be criminal, reflects poorly upon the entire service."

No government officials would speak on record about these seemingly unrelated events. Speculation abounds that the crime ring was a problem that was inherited by Mr. Grant, who, as Defense Minister, bore the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of officers. "Getting fired seems to be a bit harsh a penalty for a few stolen staplers or alternators, if that was what it was for," said Bashear. "But we can't say the Anantos enjoy such a breech in discipline, so perhaps Mr. Grant was made an example of. Nobody will say one way or another."

@TheRepublic