Posts made by North Diessen

Joint Statement of the Confederal President of North Diessen and the Emperor of Inimicus

To all whom these presents may reach, greetings.

The governments of North Diessen and Inimicus, united in an eternal bond of friendship and collaboration, note with horror the events taking place on our doorstep. Troops from the Kingdom of Reitzmag and United Duchies, supported by the United Kingdom and Gadalland and Aspern, have assailed a sovereign nation on the Caspian Sea.

No matter our differences, force can never be the answer unless as a last resort. An unclear situation at sea cannot be the grounds for full-scale military intervention. Standing together as one, we condemn the assault on sovereignty that has transpired over the last few days. We cannot and will not support the side of Reitzmic aggression and Imperialism through any means.

It is with this in mind that we have determined and decreed, by the powers vested in us through the mechanisms of Presidential and Imperial Decrees, to close the national borders of the Confederacy of North Diessen and the Empire of Inimicus to all nationals from the Kingdom of Reitzmag, the United Duchies, Gadalland and Aspern, and Svarna Surya without exception. Nationals of the aforementioned states currently present in the territory of the Empire of Inimicus and/or the Confederacy of North Diessen are mandated to report to local or national law enforcement for processing by the Inimician Imperial Guard Anti-Terrorism Command.

Financial, material, or other assets held by nationals from any of the aforementioned states in the Confederacy of North Diessen or the Empire of Inimicus, or any of its subject states or individuals, are hereby seized. This includes holdings by the Roscoes conglomerate of the United Duchies.

Any naval vessels, whether military or civilian, which enter the territorial waters of the Confederacy of North Diessen are now subject to internment until, at least, the end of the conflict. Assets held on such vessels may, by Presidential Decree, be transported to the custody of officials from the Inimician Imperial Guard.

SIGNED,

ARTABANOS, Centuriorum, Legatorum, Quaestoriorum, Imperatorum, Rosarorum, Praestoriorum, Diutiorum Imperator Maximus; Dominus Noster, Βασιλεύς Πολεμιων, Αύτοκράτορ Πρώτος; Pontifex Maximus Religio Inimiciis; Dux Districti Teli; Caesar Legioni Inimici; Crux Maximus Ordinem Imperatoris; Dominus Ordene Supremus Nicolesii; LAUDATE!

Nestor KARAMAN, President of the Confederacy of North Diessen, Grand Cross of the Order of the Empire.

A Statement From the Confederal President of North Diessen

To all whom these presents may reach, greetings:

I, Nestor Karaman, the President of the Confederacy of North Diessen, in brotherhood assembled with the Peoples and Emperor of the Empire of Inimicus, take note of the recent announcement by the Foreign Office of the United Duchies.

Under the authority granted to me by Presidential Decree 86 (7/9/22), I hereby reject and condemn this unsolicited offer by the Duchian Government. The Peoples of North Diessen are no scrubs, living off change flicked their way by folks in suits who live in high-rise buildings, to make themselves feel slightly better about their miserable existence. North Diessen is a proud nation, and will not be coaxed into accepting blood money from the Duchians.

Thank you.

Presidency of the Confederacy of North Diessen

--

Imperial Palace of Inimicus

Formal Invitation to the Artabanos Canal Opening Celebrations, 18th June 2022

The Confederal Presidency of North Diessen, the Imperial Palace of Inimicus, and the Artabanos Foundation (sponsored by Artabanet Telecommunications Inc) are pleased to cordially invite foreign dignitaries to the grand opening ceremony of the Artabanos Canal, to be held June 18th, 2022.

The Opening Ceremony will take place on board the luxury yacht HIMS Eric Pickles, generously made available by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Artabanos of Inimicus, and will commence in the Diessenar Caspian port of Piushaove. The yacht will complete a full transit of the Artabanos Canal from north to south, before terminating at Waspik on the Persian Gulf.

Full catering and drinks services will be provided, as well as appropriate security measures and transport to and from each terminus to Het Goor International Airport.

The organisers invite foreign heads of state and/or government along with their direct spouses or partners, as well as current or recent European Commissioners to fill out the following information and return to Curator Palatii (Chair of the Imperial Household) Martin von Royston.

**Nation/organisation:** 
**Number of Attendees:**
**Name(s) of Attendee(s):**
**Mode of arrival to North Diessen:**

**Dietary requirements (if any):**
**Requested Apéritif(s):**

A Message From the Board of Trustees for the Artabanos Canal Project

Confederal President of North Diessen Nestor Karaman; His Imperial Majesty Emperor Artabanos of Inimicus; Chief Engineer Layla Marini; Chief Accountant Hugo Bercow; Head of Resources Dahle Uguz; Head of Personnel Johannes Tagu; and Six Other Unnamed Trustees

Today is a joyous day.

After a record €12 billion invested in the future of our region, tens of thousands of workers putting millions of manpower hours into the destiny of the Confederacy and Empire, hundreds of thousands of train deliveries of materials and equipment, and above all, a limitless spirit of optimism and determination, the Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the opening of the Artabanos Canal for commercial traffic from 1st August 2022.

A grand celebration, hosted by the President of the Confederacy of North Diessen and the Emperor of Inimicus, shall be held on Saturday 18th June, and the Board invites all friendly heads of state and equivalent statespeople to attend. Formal invitations are to be sent out in due course.

To further celebrate the opening of this vital second link between the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf, all vessels registered under the flags of any member state of the European Union shall enjoy free transit through the canal in the first three weeks of operation (exceptions apply**). This offer has been made possible by a further €200m grant from the Artabanos Foundation, for which the Board of Trustees is eternally grateful.

**This promotion shall not apply to vessels registered under the flags of the Kingdom of Reitzmag or the Clan Democracy of Strathae.

Update for North Diessen:

Head of State (Title + Mr/Ms* + name in bold): Confederal President Nestor Karaman
Head of Government (Title + Mr/Ms* + name in bold): Confederal President Nestor Karaman

In Full: Confederal President Nestor Karaman's Swearing-In Speech

Newly sworn-in Confederal President Nestor Karaman delivers his inaugural address outside the recently renamed Inimician Cathedral (formerly the Cathedral of Sts Peter and John) in Het Goor.

Highlights

- President-Elect Nestor Karaman is sworn in as President of the Confederacy of North Diessen in the Inimician Cathedral, Het Goor

- President Karaman promises "a renewed focus of internationalism", stressing Diessen's relationships with its neighbours as top government priorities.

- Other key promises include the reiteration of the pledge to complete the Artabanos Canal in the first 100 days of the Presidential term, the capture of former President Mueller and his associates, and general left-of-centre economic policies such as tax hikes for higher incomes and moderate increases in government spending in the economy.

Het Goor, 2nd May 2022 -- Not 48 hours after the Presidential election results were certified by the Confederal Electoral Commission and the Inimician Imperial Guard Investigation Unit, Nestor Karaman was sworn in as Confederal President. Citing "safety concerns" and a "filling of the executive void", Karaman had pushed legislators to allow for an earlier-than-usual inauguration date, which, given he is not replacing any previous incumbent, the Grand National Assembly was content to accommodate. Speaking to a crowd tens of thousands strong in the central Cathedral Square in the Diessenar capital Het Goor, Karaman set out a legislative agenda for his next five years in office in an inaugural address.

"My friends and compatriots, thank you. It truly is the greatest honour that any Diessenar citizen could experience to stand before you today. Our popular movement was successful during the election, and it will continue to be successful during the coming presidential term, during the next legislative elections, and into the long distant future. I have you to thank for your support.

"The Diessenar Peoples know what the first priority of this administration will be. We will build the vital link between our two shores with renewed vigor and strength, and complete the entirety of the Artabanos Canal within the first one hundred days of my Presidency. To this end, the Confederal Government will infest a further ₺50 million on top op the previously pledged infrastructure fund. I have further managed to extract another ₺200 million from our friends to the south and the Artabanos Foundation. Truly, our canal will be the envy of the infrastructure world.

"Our nation needs healing. Our Confederacy was severely weakened by the rift of 2021, and this administration will take the necessary steps to close this rift. We will start by eliminating the mould and rot of Ekrem Mueller from all levels of government; Confederal, State, Local, Ekrem loyalists and pro-putsch actors will be hunted down and put to trial. I promise you, Peoples of Diessen, that after the first year of my term we will have a renewed democracy in North Diessen, free from corruption, free from self-centered imperialists, where the livelihoods of every citizen count equally.

"This, sadly, we cannot do alone. You know as well as I do that last year's war tore down our industry, destabilised our internal economy, and left us exposed to the stealing, criminal hands of the Mueller clique. It is with this in mind that this administration will seek investment from the European Development Agency to repair the damage that was done. We have also arranged further negotiations with the Imperial Government of Inimicus, who have offered a ₺5bn annual fund to shore up our economy. Truly, the Confederacy is blessed with such allies and such a community in our region; I intend to ensure we can be there for our allies, such as our allies are there for us.

"We will seek rapproachment with the United Duchies, whom my predecessors alienated and cast aside. We will work as an active member of the Caspian Treaty, improving relations with all our Caspian partners, including the Kingdom of Reitzmag and Pravoslaviya. We will seek to end the scourge of piracy in our northern waters, collaborating closely with the Inimician Imperial Navy. And finally, speaking of which, our greatest and most trustworthy allies to the south, who intervened decisively when our nation was on the brink of destruction last year, must receive our unrelenting and unwavering support and loyalty. The Inimicians were there for us in our times of need, including in safeguarding this past election campaign, and we will be there for them should their time ever come.

"To His Imperial Majesty Emperor Artabanos of Inimicus, I say thank you, on behalf of the Peoples of Diessen. To you all, wherever you may be and whatever your personal circumstances are, I say thank you. I will get to work, this administration will get to work, to ensure that every Diessenar citizen will, very shortly, once again voice with pride our national motto: He is happy who says 'I am a Diessenar'."

KARAMAN IS PRESIDENT

Het Goor, 30th April 2022 -- With a record 34% of first-preference and 56% of second-preference votes, former Hilverbode journalist and recent political refugee Nestor Karaman has been elected to the office of President of the Confederacy of North Diessen. Karaman defeated runner-up Emma Artabanoglu (Radical Centrists), who received 22% of first preferences and 18% second preferences. All other candidates scored under 20% on both rounds.

Karaman's victory speech at the newly-constructed Artabanos Halls in Het Goor celebrated "the true Diessenar spirit of internationalism" for which his campaign "stood with tooth and nail". In his first three months in office, Karaman pledged to "accellerate and complete the construction of our beloved Artabanos Canal; to continue to intensify the close partnership North Diessen has developed with our southern neighbours; and to root out the last of Ekrem Mueller's rot in the heart of our government." Thunderous applause and cheers accompanied the new President-Elect into the night.

Artabanoglu conceded her loss at an election rally this evening. All other candidates similarly congratulated Karaman on his election victory, barring the Conservative and National Worker's Party's Devlet Scherer, who issued a formal request with the Confederal Electoral Commission for a recount just minutes after results were published.

Karaman's election makes him the youngest ever Confederal President at 34, and the first ever President from Reuland. Karaman's home State was close to seceding in October last year, yet has now delivered the most popular President in history of the Confederacy (as measured by vote share).

International reactions to Karaman's collection were spearheaded by a press release from the Inimician Imperial Palace, which congratulated the new President-Elect on "a stellar campaign and an equally stellar manifesto". The Palace further commented it "awaits with eager anticipation the President-Elect's plans for accelleration of canal building".

Finally, the communiqué included a personal message from Inimician Emperor Artabanos: "I have come to know you during your time in exile at the Palace as a conscientious, honest, kind, thoughtful, incredible individual: I have no doubt your people are blessed by your election, and I look forward to meeting you hopefully very soon."

Karaman Emerges as Presidential Front-Runner after Passionate Pro-Canal Address --//-- Polling Suggests Two-Way Karaman-Artabanoglu Stand-Off

Highlights

- Independent Presidential candidate Nestor Karaman jumped by as much as a dozen percentage points in nationwide polls after addressing construction workers at the Artabanos Canal site;

- Karaman now leads polls, trailed closely by Finance Minister Emma Artabanoglu, whose supporters include anti-Canal activists and moderate Diessenar voters;

- Frontrunner debate last night watched by virtually no one at all.

Fatima, 25th April 2022 -- Speaking to a crowd of workers dressed in high visibility jackets and wearing hard hats, Independent Presidential candidate Nestor Karaman countered his main opponent Emma Artabanoglu's claims a Karaman presidency would end up "voluntarily opening the doors to Inimician colonialism", by emphasising "to you, the ordinary workers of this Confederacy, the immense importance of this vital infrastructure project." Karaman further called for pay increases for public sector workers such as those in front of him, greater international co-operation with Diessen's neighbours on "canals, bridges, borders, and boatways", and announced a Karaman presidency would "mark the end for the forces of corruption that were clearly rife under Pekcan and Mueller's reign", and which, in direct reference to his main opponent, "could become even more widespread if the people elect their pawn."

This opponent, current Finance Minister Emma Artabanoglu (representing the Radical Centrists, the same party which produced Inge Pekcan and Ekrem Mueller), responded to Karaman's harsh yet seemingly popular call for change by appealing to her record in government, which -- by Diessenar standards -- is remarkably clean. Artabanoglu further called for the "immediate cessation of works on the Artabanos Canal until our allies have been consulted", placing her at odds with the now immensely powerful construction unions.

Both candidates have been polling at around 25% of votes in recent days, with Karaman outperforming Artabanoglu in most polls by around 4 points. Coverage of the Presidential election has been marred by incidents involving the Inimician Imperial Guard, which is assising the Confederal Electoral Commission and the Grand National Assembly in safeguarding the election process. In one incident, footage of which was released on social media before being taken down hours later, protestors assailing candidates emerging from the Hilverbode studios after last night's electoral debate appeared to have been selectively targeted by Imperial Guard troops. Demonstrators harrassing Conservative and National Worker's Party candidate Devlet Schrerer threw tomatoes and rotten eggs unopposed, while Karaman and Artabanoglu were seen rapidly escorted to armoured limousines, with several protestors being beaten in the process. Inimician authorities say they are "reviewing" the footage.

The election debate preceding this incident was reported as the least watched electoral debate in the history of the Confederacy, with only 400,000 viewers nationwide tuning in for the initial hour. The debate, organised by Hilverbode TV, was designed to give all candidates an equal standing and paid specific attention to candidates polling below average. Nevertheless, viewers across the country tuned out en masse, evidenced by what Hilverbode TV CEO Peter Hillyum called "an almost mechanical, bot-like" swarm of Twitter reports complaining about the debate set up.

Most viewers took to social media with negative opinions on candidates and the debate process. Among the most frequently cited words, "boring" and "bland" were most prevalent, followed by "incomprehensible" and "nonsensical". One Twitter user lamented the "time and attention spent on cretins who won't win anyway", with another simply suggesting "#BuildTheCanal. Not tuning in until it's built." However, an undercurrent of users complained of "TV blackouts" or "weak receptions". One viewer related how accessing the livestream of the debate from her home in Reuland -- the state most opposed to the building of the Artabanos canal and polling most favourably towards Artabanoglu -- was blocked by "DDoS protection software" from viewing the debate, however when setting her virtual private network to originate from Inimicus, she could watch the whole thing without issue.

Most candidates have now pulled out of the one remaining debate scheduled to occur before the 30th April election date, with most preferring rallies and media publications instead.

Presidential Candidate Line-Up Finalised as Registration Period Ends --//-- Ex-President Mueller "Still at Large" - Law Enforcement

All certified Presidential candidates for the 2022 election. From left to right (in order of registration date): Nestor Karaman, independent; Emma Artabanoglu, Radical Centrists; Pamnut Ebbi, Social Democratic Appeal; Devlet Schrerer, Conservative/National Worker; Don Benjamin, Communist League.

Highlights

- Major Diessenar political parties put forward Presidential candidates;

- Former journalist and political refugee Nestor Karaman remains the only indepedent candidate with sufficient support for electoral registration;

- Campaign season begins in earnest: major themes include corruption, confederal state structure, and the benefits of the Artabanos Canal

The Diessenar Confederal Electoral Commission has ratified the candidacies of five nominees for the Presidential election of April 30th. The snap poll, called by a council of high-ranking Grand National Assembly members, will replace now-deposed President Ekrem Mueller, who Diessenar law enforcement sources confirm is still on the run from arrest.

Nestor Karaman, whose revelations about former President Mueller's illegal rise to power sparked mass protests and revolts across the country, travelled to the Diessenar capital of Het Goor tonight for his first campaign rally. Flanked by Inimician Imperial Guard troops who were invited by the Grand National Assembly to supervise the democratic conduct of the election, Karaman called for a "complete renewal" of Diessenar politics as well as "intense accelleration" of the Artabanos canal project.

A joint candidate was put forward by the Conservative and National Worker's Party, whose party leaderships released a press communique on Saturday suggesting the "odds of a victory for common sense" were "significantly less slim" with a combined candidate for both lists. The right-wing coalition calls for increased centralisation of the Diessenar state and the elimination of the confederal structure, something which would require a large amount of constitutional amendments.

Two currently serving members of the Cabinet registered as candidates on behalf of their parties: Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Emma Artabanoglu is to campaign on behalf of the Diessen Radical Centrists (who came out victorious in the 2018 elections, propelling the late Inge Pekcan to the Presidency). Pamnut Ebbi, whose involvement with the construction of the Artabanos Canal filled most of her brief as Agriculture and Forestry Minister over the last year or so, was nominated on behalf of the Social Democratic Appeal. Termed by analysts as the "continuity candidates", Artabanoglu and Ebbi are largely considered mainstream, and can count on the support of large swathes of moderate Diessenar voters.

Several multi-party debates are scheduled for the coming two weeks as Diessenar citizens make up their mind. The April 30th election is constitutionally mandated to use the Alternative Vote system, meaning candidates are also marketing for second, third, and even fourth preference votes to improve their chances in later voting rounds.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CHAIR DECLARES MUELLER PRESIDENCY OVER, CALLS FOR ARREST OF FORMER PRESIDENT AND NEW ELECTIONS SUPERVISED BY INIMICIAN PEACEKEEPERS --//-- KARAMAN DECLARES CANDIDACY

Now ex-President Mueller (left) and GNA Chair Maaike Wolum (right)

Highlights:

- President Ekrem Mueller deposed and charged by Grand National Assembly

- New Presidential elections scheduled for April 30th -- to be supervised by Inimician military

- Administration of National Unity to head interim government

- Controversial journalist Nestor Karaman first to announce presidential candidacy

Het Goor, 8th April 2022 -- With the words "the Mueller Presidency is at an end", Grand National Assembly Chairwoman Maaike Wolum declared the long-awaited end of Ekrem Mueller's Confederal reign. Speaking to crowds gathered outside the Presidential compound, Wolum's words were met with great enthusiasm from protestors, who had been calling for Mueller's resignation for several weeks. The Defence Minister turned President stands accused of gross crimes against the Diessenar state, several individuals including former President Inge Pekcan, as asll as of illegally seizing power in the wake of civil unrest late last year.

Wolum, who declared she spoke with "the authority of the vast majority of the Grand National Assembly and the backing of the Imperial Government of Inimicus", later released a press statement detailing formal criminal charges to be served to former President Mueller, including high treason, armed insurgency, and murder. Sources confirm to the Hilverbode that Mueller has fled the capital and is currently being chased by Diessenar law enforcement. In the meantime, new Presidential elections have been scheduled for April 30th, and until such time an "administration of national unity" is to respond to any urgent governmental matters.

Some critics of Wolum's statement have suggested the Grand National Assembly lacks the capacity to declare the President deposed, to prescribe new elections without government approval, or to issue criminal charges. Moreover, the Assembly was formally dissolved by Mueller himself not three weeks ago, putting the legality of any decisions in doubt. Wolum's statement quoted the "unprecedented historicity" of the current situation, and the "clear and united calls for change" eminating from all States of North Diessen over the last few weeks.

Public opinion appears to have swayed in favour of Mueller's deposition, however, further evidenced by the great enthusiasm for the first declared Presidential candidate, Nestor Karaman. The former Hilverbode reporter, who is currently a refugee at the Imperial Palace in Telum, Inimicus, was the subject of a major controversy in which he claimed to be in possession of documents and testimony suggesting a violent and illegal takeover of power by Ekrem Mueller. Karaman fled Het Goor for the Inimician border several weeks ago, and the Inimicians refused multiple extradition requests filed by Mueller's administration. Maaike Wolum, whose Administration of National Unity formally invited Karaman back to North Diessen, has further appealed to the Inimician leadership to supervise and ensure the democratic legitimacy of the April 30th elections.

The Inimician government was swift to agree to this proposal, and offered to send at least 3,000 peacekeeping troops to various population centres across North Diessen around polling day.

The Hilverbode will keep up a rolling coverage of events as they unfold further.

"Weekend of Reckoning" for President Mueller as Pressure Mounts --- Defence Force Placed on High Alert

Diessenar Defence Force personnel moving equipment (left) while a seemingly distressed President Ekrem Mueller (right) addresses government aides on Saturday

Across the Confederacy, 19th March 2022 -- Confederal President Ekrem Mueller has issued orders for the Diessenar Defence Force to move to the "highest and most serious level of alertness", following widespread anti-regime protests and civil resistance against law enforcement in the last few days. At least twelve people have died and hundreds more were injured in what analysts have termed "the largest and most widespread nation-wide civil protest in Diessenar history", which further shows no sign of abating. Protests took shape last week after revalations by Nestor Karaman, a former Hilverbode journalist now expelled from North Diessen, alleged Mueller took power in a violent yet undercover coup late last year.

Mueller's orders were met with more intense violence from protestors against police and Confederal Guard units on the streets. Demonstrators chanted "lock him up" in front of the Presidential Palace in Het Goor; in the southern city of , on the Diessenar-Inimician border, protestors appealed to Inimician Emperor Artabanos to "strike the feind", in apparent reference to the suggestion made by a delegation from the now-suspended Grand National Assembly that North Diessen's southern neighbour should intervene to eliminate Mueller's government. The Empire of Inimicus has not responded to this request as yet, with Imperial Palace sources claiming Emperor Artabanos is "enjoying His weekend and will discuss the matter with the National Imperial Council first thing Monday morning".

Mueller told civil service staff this morning that any intervention by foreign powers would be met with "rocks, bullets, and missiles", warning the Inimicians not to "exceed their diplomatic mandate". Suggestions that persecuted citizens could be temporarily housed in the United Duchies were further met with scepticism by the Presidential Palace, calling any attempt to "criminalise being Diessenar" completely unacceptable.

North Diessen braces itself for what promises to be another tough night, with social media buzzing with plans for mass protest once again. Diessenar Defence Force elements have appeared on the streets as of this afternoon, with protestors gearing up in balaclavas in reponse.

President Mueller Suspends Grand National Assembly as Protestors Flock to Streets Demanding Change of Leadership

Left: protests outside the Grand National Assembly buildings in Het Goor. Right: police took violent action against protestors last night.

Het Goor, 18th March 2022 -- Following an evening and night of mass protest around the Confederacy, President Ekrem Mueller issued an edict immediately suspending the Grand National Assembly, Diessen's unicameral legislature, and authorising the Diessenian Defence Forces to assist law enforcement in suppressing protests. Across the nation groups gathered to demand the President's resignation after the Hilverbode published a conversation with Nestor Karaman, a political refugee now housed in Inimicus. Karaman alleged President Mueller violently and illegally took power in the wake of the Reuland Rebellion last year, behind the backs of the Diessenar establishment and the Inimician military.

Demonstrations were generally met with armed suppression from police forces. Curfews have been announced in most major Diessenar cities and gatherings of more than five people in public spaces have been prohibited until further notice. Despite these restrictions, mass crowds of demonstrators have occupied major city centres since yesterday afternoon, with law enforcement seemingly powerless to stop them.

Chairwoman of the Grand National Assembly Maaike Wolum, a key ally of former -- and allegedly murdered -- President Inge Pekcan, called out what she considers an "illegal suspension" of North Diessen's confederal legislature. She announced she and "the majority of my colleagues in the Assembly" would be joining protests in Het Goor this afternoon, fuelling concerns that this evening's civil disruption could be of a far greater scale than that seen yesterday night.

The legal basis for President Mueller's suspension of Parliament is not immediately apparent, and the decision has already come under severe scrutiny from legal experts. "This move was clearly and simply a way for Mueller to avoid parliamentary scrutiny", comments Professor of Diessenar Law Bahar Boustel, "There is no constitutional or legal ground for the President's actions." Others have accused Mueller of "confirming his autocratic tendencies" and "spitting in the face of democracy."

A delegation from the Grand National Assembly made a formal request to Emperor Artabanos of Inimicus this afternoon to "remove by whatever means necessary" President Mueller and his cabinet. The Inimicians have not responded to the request as yet, and it is unclear whether they will treat it in any official way or, indeed, what the Inimician government could do to remove President Mueller from power.

Exclusive Nestor Karaman Interview Accuses President of Illegal Power Grab -- Claims Pekcan "Rotted In Dungeon" while Mueller "Partied In Office"

QUICK READ:

• Political refugee and former journalist Nestor Karaman accuses President Ekrem Mueller of a 'silent but violent' coup in the wake of last year's Reuland Rebellion.
• Mueller 'deceived his own people and the Inimician military leadership', Karaman claims, and took power in as little as thirty minutes, following months of extensive planning.
• Former President Pekcan was allegedly 'murdered only this winter' after months in confinement, countering official claims of her being severely wounded during the rebellion.
• Karaman calls for 'mass protests' against Mueller's government and 'immediate reprisals by allied powers'.

"Ekrem Mueller exploited everyone's good intentions. Those of the Diessenar people, but also those of our faithful allies in Inimicus", claims Nestor Karaman, self-defined political refugee and accused terrorist, from his temporary residence in North Diessen's southern neighbour.

Hilverbode journalists spoke at length to their former colleague Karaman, who was forced to flee North Diessen after the Confederal Government accused him of planting explosives at the Hilverbode's headquarters. "Why would I bomb my own place of work?", asks Karaman, "Why would I attempt to destroy what I worked a decade to establish? A free Diessenar press."

The Diessenar government claims it has footage of Karaman "infiltrating" the Confederal Presidential Palace just moments before planting his explosive device. "Yes", responds Nestor, "I was there. I was there to speak to Inge Pekcan - or what was left of her. A link between me and the dungeon Inge was being kept in invited me to speak to her, one final time. Obviously this had to be done in secret."

Former Confederal President Inge Pekcan disappeared from the political stage after reportedly being wounded in an attack on the governmental compound during the Reuland Rebellion. Karaman, however, reveals differently: "Pekcan was not wounded by rebels. Pekcan was shot, dragged to the cellars, and confined to a life of squalor and deformity by Ekrem Mueller and his cronies."

According to Karaman, the Reuland Rebellion, in which one of North Diessen's three States attempted to secede following a dispute over anti-piracy measures in the Caspian, was "completely and entirely orchestrated" by Ekrem Mueller, who served as Defence Minister at the time. "And how convenient that it was Mueller who stood up to the plate during that crisis, who orchestrated Inimician involvement to put down the rebellion, and who took the credit when things were resolved swiftly."

Asked whether anything Pekcan claimed could be corroborated by evidence, Karaman responded: "Everything I have just related to you makes far more empirical and logical sense than the explanations offered by Mueller." Temporary power cuts at Diessenar Defence Force bases in the wake of the rebellion were ascribed to Reuland's cyberwarfare by the government, but Karaman suggests it was Mueller's supporters who "took their chance to take power in the absence of military protection."

During the thirty or so minutes that communications between Diessenar armed forces, law enforcement, and government agencies were impaired, Karaman claims then-President Pekcan was "dragged downstairs" in the Presidential Palace, where Ekrem Mueller "told her who was now in charge, tortured her, shot her at least once, and confined her to a mould-infested dungeon for the rest of her life." Mueller allegedly installed allies in key positions of power, ensured the military full immunity from prosecution to ensure their loyalty, and arrested several high-ranking journalists and media editors. "The whole thing took months if not years of planning, but was finally executed perfectly within half an hour."

All of this, Karaman claims, occured while Inimician Imperial Armed Forces were deployed against rebellious elements in Reuland, while Inimician advisers were present in the givernmental compound, and while Imperial Special Envoy Albert Rosenfield was in the Presidential Palace itself. "It is therefore not surprising", Karaman told the Hilverbode, "That Rosenfield was literally thrown out the building when he became too vocal. He undoubtedly saw too much and threatened to go public."

Following what Karaman terms "the worst possible betrayal of our allies in the south", he called for "neighbouring nations to put pressure on this illegitimate administration, to remove him from power immediately, and restore proper democratic order." He further encouraged Diessenar citizens to "think for themselves, rise up, and strike down this autocrat."

The Confederal Presidential Palace has been contacted for comment.

We thank Ms Isztenn for drafting this agreement and are ready to sign today.

"Make a formal request for extradition. Publicise it, let the world know about it. And let them know, especially, about their refusal, should that happen."

Ekrem knew Artabanos would not surrender his criminal to him. Nestor Karaman, perhaps the most dangerous person Ekrem had ever witnessed, was in the Inimician Emperor's custody. And there was little, very little, that Diessenar authorities could do about it, except protest as much as they could. Or, well, as much as the Inimicians would allow them to. Ekrem became painfully aware of Imperial Guard Commander Rosenfield in the corner of the room, a blank expression on his face, as though he had known all along what would happen and was watching everything unfold exactly as he had anticipated. Though not a violent man, Ekrem felt like throwing the priceless Early Diessenar vase on his desk at Rosenfield's face. He felt like strangling Emperor Artabanos, who was showing how little He could be relied on when things really came down to it.

But this would all be for later. "Do we have any means of getting Nestor out of there?", Ekrem asked the room, which remained deathly silent. "Great. Just great. So now we have a runaway with violently dangerous information on our regime in the hands of the Inimicians. And not just the Inimicians, of Artabanos personally. This is... this is worse than bad."

"We could... Uh, we could do something", spoke General-in-Chief Victor Imam, overall commander of the Diessenar Defence Force, before eyeing the Imperial Guard commander, the Emperor's eyes in Het Goor. "I'm afraid Mr Rosenfield would have to leave us, this is sensitive information." Ah, so it was that sort of 'something', though Ekrem. Would North Diessen really organise a raid on Inimician territory, just months after the Imperial Armed Forces had shown their total and unrelenting military dominance? Perhaps that played in favour of Diessen. Perhaps the IAF was too cocky to expect such a thing. An interesting notion.

"I have been party to far more sensitive information than you could think of, General Imam. I think I'll stay", said Rosenfield, calmly.

Ekrem's face flashed red. "Leave us. Or be escorted out."

A moment of silence. Rosenfield stood up, hands on hips. Was he carrying a sidearm? Who else in the room would show loyalty to him rather than Ekrem?

Time to find out.

"Well, he's across. So... what now?"

Ekrem had just witnessed Nestor Karaman, in possession of inflammatory testimony about the President's eventful rise to power, cross the now open border into the Empire of Inimicus. Karaman was taking former President Inge Pekcan's secrets, potentially rather disclosing information about Ekrem, into a foreign country.

Moments before, Albert Rosenfield, the Inimician representative (read: colonial lordship) to North Diessen had whispered to Ekrem to allow Karaman to cross unhindered. It was clear to him that the Inimicians wanted the prestige of catching Karaman. Or perhaps even the first rights of interrogation, and before they could hand him over, stashing him away in some Imperial compound.

More so than anything, Ekrem felt ashamed. This meant he would have to ring Emperor Artabanos and tell Him of his failure to contain a single, unremarkable man. He already knew what His reply would be. Oh yes, of course, Ekrem, we've already got him. That was very silly of you, yes. Now, I can of course give him to you, but perhaps you would like to give me something in return first?

And so, the mineral rights of North Diessen would be surrendered. Or its exclusive fishing rights in its territorial waters. Or the control over its airspace. Or the training of its soldiers. Or all of those at once. In any case, Ekrem's hold over his country would be damaged once more, as it had time and time again since he started colluding with the Inimicians. He had begun to realise what he had sacrificed, what his nation had sacrificed, in order to be rid of Inge Pekcan's ineffective and pacifist governance. In a sense, North Diessen had sacrificed its nationhood.

"All right", he said, sighing. "Get me a line to Telum. The Inimicians were already aware, I assume?"

Having received a confirmatory nod from the Special Envoy and Imperial Guard Investigation Unit Commander, he sat down at his desk and, with the telephone to his ear, awaited the Emperor's familiar voice.

"Helloooooooooo? Ekrem? Ah! Yes, hi, I'm the car. No, no, just heading up to Praestoris to meet your famous Nestor. I saw the photo of him you sent over - is this intentional? You picked quite the guy, so thank you for that. No, no, I thought I wouldn't wear my pink tie, I didn't want things to be too obvious, you know. So uh, what is it you rang for?"

Ekrem never really understood Artabanos. One moment, He would be as He was now, joking, light-hearted, and slightly uncaring. From one moment to the next, however, He could turn completely and utterly ruthless. Artabanos had told Ekrem the story of how He had had to smother His former lover with a pillow. At any moment, He might do the same to Ekrem -- at the very least figuratively. The President breathed deeply before speaking: "I was hoping to arrange extradition of this Karaman, Your Imperial Majesty. He is, as You'll be aware, in possession of some sensitive information."

"Oh yes of course, Ekrem. I'm fully aware. If anything, him twittering and tweeting away would be more damaging to Me than to you -- just think of what Jean-Claude would say, or Mikaela, or even Simon. It'd be quite the thing. We'll make sure to get him back to you of course, but I'm sure you won't mind if I have My way with him first. Perhaps in more ways than one."

"W-- well, yes, of course, but I'd just like to stress---"

"Oh, got to go, Ekrem. So sorry. I've got Christopher on the other line, and you know what these Imperial Consuls are like. Speak soon!"

And just like that, the line broke up. Ekrem was left with the vague sense he was being played, while playing others himself.

"Got him."

"What do you mean, 'got him'. You have him in custody, or you killed him?"

"We er-- we know who he is."

President Ekrem Mueller's large-scale search for the scoundrel in possession of his state secrets was bearing only tiny little fruits. Three hours the Diessenar Defence Force had spent searching room after room in the Hilverbode newspaper's headquarters, and found no one matching the silhouette captured on the Presidential Palace's CCTV screens. Until now. Commander Rosenfield's ruse had succeeded -- as if it wouldn't -- and now it was up to Diessenar law enforcement to complete its part of the bargain. Pressing his aides for information, Ekrem finally found out to whom former president Inge Pekcan had betrayed the secrets of Ekrem's coup.

"Nestor Karaman, twenty nine years of age, born in Reuland, has been employed with the Hilverbode since graduating from the University of Diessen. Unfortunately for him, his social media profiles are not set to private, and a small bit of wiggling got us his phone number as well. Tracking is a marvel of modern technology, Mr President."

"I hope you've apprehended his entire team and are currently making sure he didn't tell them a thing", Ekrem said, with a fear in his voice he did not recognise. He had always been confident, perhaps overly so, and this was the most vulnerable he had ever been. How did people like him do it? How did they rule without constant stress, constant anxiety, the constant fear that someone, somewhere, is out to find you?

"They're being loaded up as we speak. Karaman, er, well, has proven more... elusive... and appears to be heading south."

And how did people like Ekrem manage to keep their tempers in check, with such incompetence as their only pillars? Perhaps this is why Inimician Emperor Artabanos had advised him to take things slowly, to replace people who did not fit, and to take no rash actions until things were stable. Things were, as they stood, far from stable. Someone with enough information to topple Ekrem's entire regime before it could be properly established was on the loose. His first priority, above everything, would be to stop Nestor Karaman from speaking to a single soul.

"Alert local and national law enforcement to track him down", Ekrem commanded, "Keep a constant eye on his phone's location, and use any means necessary."

As the room once again scrambled into action, Inimician Imperial Guard Commander Rosenfield approached Ekrem and began to whisper.

BOMB THREAT AT HILVERBODE EDITORIAL OFFICES --//-- BUILDINGS ON LOCKDOWN

Het Goor, 8/2/22 - Police have been alerted to a suspicious package near the editorial offices of this news outlet. Between 20 and 30 law enforcement and military vehicles are cordoning off the area, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the building. A statement from Het Goor Constabulary read: "We have reason to believe at least one improvised explosive device has been planted around the Hilverbode's main buildings in Het Goor. We further believe the individual responsible for planting these devices is still inside the complex, which is why we have cordoned off the area until further notice."

Bomb disposal units are on site, including the Inimician Imperial Guard Bomb Division, a detachment of which has been stationed in Het Goor since the wave of terrorist attacks in October last year. Hilverbode journalists have reported armed police sweeping their offices in search of the suspect, but no one inside appears to have been informed when the lockdown would end. All internet and phone communications, including mobile data and even fax connections, were suspended minutes after the cordon began.

The Office of the President of the Confederacy Ekrem Mueller claimed "the situation is still ongoing" and would not make any allegations regarding the perpetrator's motive.

"De Hilverbode, the Diessenian Guardian, the Voice of Wollek, all of them. Chase whoever has access to the government quarter, anyone."

Panic had struck in the Office of the President of the Confederacy of North Diessen. With her final breaths, the walking skeleton once called President Inge Pekcan had delivered a potential hammer blow to the administration of Ekrem Mueller. "And get the Inimicians on the line, we may need their help." The dozen or so people present busily typed away on tablets, shouted down landlines and mobiles, and ordered aides in and out of the room. Inge had been chatting. And, more seriously, she had been chatting to a journalist, from inside her prison cell. The fact she had used one of her final moments on this earth to spit in Ekrem's face was nothing compared to the harm this might to do him.

What did she tell them? How much of the whole story might appear in the press? Just his opportunism, or his years of planning the whole operation? Just his internal connections, or the Inimician involvement with his plans as well?

As he wandered off into thought, a shout from one of his aides brought him back to earth. "We've got a Hilverbode staffer leaving the compound on CCTV."

When? Where? How? Was his security so lax that pesky journalists -- not just that, a mere staffer -- were allowed into the governmental complex without any sort of check? "Do we know who exactly this is? Get people out to the Hilverbode headquarters. Find them -- enter every room."

"Surely", a quiet voice spoke up, and the raucous of the room instantly died down, "Surely it would be prudent to exercise a discreet sense of caution at this point?"

Albert Rosenfield, Commander of the Inimician Imperial Guard Investigation Unit, rose from his seat in the corner opposite Ekrem's desk. Rosenfield had been appointed Special Envoy to North Diessen following Ekrem's rise to power. Everyone knew, everyone accepted, that the eyes and ears of Emperor Artabanos were present deep in the Diessenian structure of state. Rosenfield was famed for bringing the late great Augustus Barrington to justice in his own country -- it was known he would not hesitate to bring anyone else to justice the Emperor felt needed it.

"With all humility", Rosenfield continued, with no humility whatsoever, "May I offer a suggestion? I thought so. I think you will find that when your men arrive at the Hilverbode's headquarters, they will find a suspicious package there. A very suspicious package indeed, suspicious enough to lock down the whole building for several hours. Suspicious enough to let no one in or out for a day or more. Suspicious enough, even, to cut all communication lines to the inside."

Ekrem hesitated. "A suspicious package? I mean, well, OK -- "

Rosenfield rose and proceeded across the room. The grand fireplace in Ekrem's office had traditionally played host to a range of historical artefacts from the Confederacy's history. A 12th-century drinking cup gifted to the rules of Reuland at the time. A framed copy of the first Diessenian constitution of 1801. A rectangular box containing the chess set of the Confederacy's first president. It was this rectangular box that Rosenfield picked up. Looks from across the chamber at the apparent sacrilege occuring before everyone's eyes. Muffled hushes.

The Imperial Guardsman, in his usual sense of flair and efficiency, proceeded to wrap the priceless box in newspapers from Ekrem's paper bin, Just moments later, he handed the suspicious package to Ekrem. "Go wild."

28th January 2022. Het Goor, North Diessen

"She's here, Ekrem."

President of the Confederacy of North Diessen Ekrem Mueller sighed. For weeks, even months, his new and orderly reign had been undisturbed by attempts to oust him, or uncover the ways in which he had gained power. Surprisingly to him, no one had openly challenged why he should have been the one to follow in former President Inge Pekcan's footsteps when she had oh-so-inconveniently been injured during civil hostilities earlier this year. No one had questioned why units from the Inimician armed forces had cut communication lines to and from military compounds and had prevented anyone in military high command from communicating with one another.

All things considered, the ruse had gone perfectly, and Ekrem had the Inimicians to thank. He had even been slightly frightened by their immense efficiency. Within a matter of days they had completely quashed the rebellion Ekrem had instigated in Reuland -- always the odd State out in this country. At the same time, they had organised themselves entirely according to the discussed plan and positioned units at crucial junctions and infrastructure checkpoints. Within an hour or two, it had all been done. Pekcan was out, and Mueller was in.

He hadn't killed her. For some reason, there was still a sense of loyalty towards his former employer that had prevented him from, as it were, finishing the job. The Inimicians had insisted she be 'taken away' to their country, which Ekrem knew full well was one of the most gruesome euphemisms one could use. Instead, he had insisted Pekcan be kept under guard here, in the cellars of the Presidential Palace. She had not seen anything other than the four walls surrounding her since her ousting last autumn.

Until now. The head of Pekcan's security detail had informed Ekrem last week that Pekcan had found a way of getting in touch with a journalist, perhaps through a less-than-perfectly loyal guard, and was threatening to leak the whole saga to the Hilverbode unless she were granted an audience with him. Naturally, he had 'dismissed' all guards at her cell immediately and had had new detachments take their place, but one could never be too careful. That, if anything, was the lesson the Inimician Emperor had taught him. Cover your corners, pay attention to the details, and you will always outsmart those who threaten to bring you down.

"Inge", he said as the former President sat down in front of him, "Good to see you again." She was quite literally a shadow of her former self. Her face was pale, devoid of exposure to sunlight. Her incarceration diet had reduced her body to bones and skin, and her hair to thin, textile-like strands dotted around her scalp. Her voice, which clearly had not been used like it once had been, was hoarse, rough, and weirdly horrifying.

"The more humane result would've been to put a bullet in my head and be done with it, Ekrem. You see what a life I live. All day, every day, for four months, I have done nothing but think about what I'd do to you if I had the chance."

"And now, you have your chance."

"My chance came and went a long time ago, Ekrem. You know, I pity you, in many ways. If you had waited for a few years, you would have risen to the top of the ladder by yourself. But you didn't have the patience. And now, you will suffer the consequences of your mistake."

Ekrem saw Inge sigh. He would not have been surprised if she had dropped dead right there, right then, but she kept going. She appeared to gaze at her surroundings, the office which she had occupied herself until last October. It was a sentimental type of gaze, the sort of look one gives one's holiday apartment on the day of a return journey home.

"I just wanted to see you in person before your demise, Ekrem. It's all been done, the press are aware. They'll be verifying their sources by now. You've left it too late."

Ekrem frowned. He wanted to interrupt, but Pekcan continued: "Loyalists in the government will see through your lies and deceit, and at a moment's notice, they'll stand up to fight for what is right."

He stood up, walked over to Inge's chair, and slapped her across the face. She grinned. "You should've listened to your puppet master, Ekrem. Leave no stone unturned, or it may come back to bite you. Or spit at you."

A glottal sound, a wet splash on Ekrem's face. The guards in the corners intervened and began to drag Pekcan back down into the bowels of the Presidential Palace. "Take care of it", Ekrem shouted after them as he wiped his face, "And get my crisis team here at once." Artabanos had once said, nip crises in the bud, resolve them before they emerge. Perhaps, however, this crisis had already emerged further than he could possibly have imagined.