Cerulean Extradition

The Cerulean Extradition is the name for the extradition from Cerulea to Hurmu via Normark of Annika Raudsepp, Muhammad Abdullah and Nada Lesjak, and which was completed on 20.I.1724.

Background

Former Hurmu prime minister Annika Raudsepp, and former Hurmu ministers Muhammad Abdullah and Nada Lesjak, who had sought refuge in Cerulea after the 1719–1720 Hurmu civil conflict. They had been subject to an ongoing extradition process from Hurmu, with Hurmu (joined by Normark) consistently refused to open up formal diplomatic relations with Cerulea unless Raudsepp et al. were extradited. Undisclosed negotiations between Cerulea, Normark, and Hurmu occurred in the diplomatic quarters of Noursala, Aerla, where Hurmu and Cerulean diplomats could clandestinely meet and negotiate on the matter. One significant condition was brought forth: Cerulea must hand over its exiled socialist leaders to face charges, which include high treason, treason, treachery, and sedition, in Hurmu, and whereafter Hurmu and Normark would open up relations with Cerulea, including also on matters related to trade and transport.

Arrest

In the end, the Cerulean leadership agreed, finding that the needs of the Cerulean government to have relations with Hurmu and Normark outweighed the safety and principle of protection of Raudsepp et al. Cerulean police were tasked with this mission, and, promptly, arrested Raudsepp, Abdullah and Lesjak on the night of 16–17.I.1724. They drove the arrestees northwards to the border with Normark.

At the border with Normark, communication was established between the Cerulean police and Normark's border guard, who recognized Raudsepp from media coverage. Correspondence with their superiors and the government of Normark (who, in turn, had communications with the Hurmudan representative, Abdul Klaron Djupvik) took place over an extended period of about 40 hours.

Extradition proceedings

Following this period, Raudsepp, Abdullah, and Lesjak were handed over to Normark authorities.

Fredrik Michael Tarjeisson was reported to have been gravely disappointed with the failure in communications which had seen the traitors against the Holy Order delivered to the border alive. Nonetheless he instructed that they be brought to Elijah's Rest where they could be put to the torture under his personal mandate. The ambassador from Hurmu was invited to witness the proceedings in which His Majesty himself participated directly. As this invitation was related to Huyenkula, the First Secretary, Ghawetkiin Enkhjargal, came to realise that her instructions had not been accurately implemented. Johannes Klaron Djupvik, the Commissioner for the Ports of Newhaven was the ambassador to all the nations of northeastern Keltia, with his numerous progeny serving as secretaries to represent the interests of Hurmu in his absence. Rebukes were issued and Johannes Klaron Djupvik was directed to proceed immediately to Elijah's Rest in order to participate directly in working over the traitors.

The exiles were transported to Hurmu, arriving through Hurmu Gate Network via Elijah's Rest at the Senatorial Gate V2 in the basement of the Palace of the Elenaran on the morning of 2.II.1724. They were immediately arrested by the attending Corps of the Guard of the Hurmu Fyrð and taken to custody.

Relations opened

Hurmu began immediately to make arrangements for the dispatch of a resident secretary to Cerulea, with Normark reluctantly following suit in 1724 AN with the sending of a political officer from the Nordhær to represent the interests of the King of Normark.

Cerulean trucks were permitted to cross the land border into Normark, following rigorous customs inspections, from 1.IV.1724 AN. The flat rate 30% tariff on direct imports and 45% tariff on transiting goods applied by the government in Elijah's Rest could, by no stretch, be considered a friendly measure, but it did at least represent an improvement upon the previously sealed frontier.