473.14 // Military unrest as ‘Rettna Disaster’ commander ‘not guilty’ of negligence
CORUSCANT, 473.14 – Protestors clashed with police overnight at the Galactic Republic’s Supreme Court after Yula Perun, commander of ‘Task Force Indigo’, was cleared of misconduct over the destruction of the RRS Stargazer.
Large crowds of protestors were seen gathering in the Republic’s government quarters throughout the day. Several protestors were identified as ex-military, wearing medals of service, insignias, and tattoos, of the Republic Navy and Marines. Protestors claimed that the death of the sailors aboard the RRS Stargazer was the responsibility of Perun’s poor leadership and Malvero’s “abandonment” of the Outer Rim. The RRS Stargazer was a part of ‘Task Force Indigo’, an anti-piracy task force located in the Outer Rim.
On 472.05 the task force was attacked by pirates, losing the RRS Stargazer in an ambush. Footage from the scene shows protestors attempting to overpower a police barricade outside the Supreme Court. Clashes subsequently broke out between officers and protestors, with the police deploying tear gas to disperse the crowds. Perun was brought into an inquiry led by the Galactic Senate’s Special Investigations Committee (SIC) set up by the government to “ascertain the truth” of the events at Rettna IV.
On her release, the SIC chair stated: “Yula Perun’s conduct did not lead to the tragic death of the sailors aboard the RRS Stargazer. Nor were her actions unlawful or in breach of the established chain of command, as she was placed in executive authority during an unfortunate period of communications loss.” According to Coruscant police, the protestors “endangered” the life of Yula Perun and several police personnel. Chancellor Malvero released a statement today strongly condemning the incident and calling for “an immediate calming of passions”.