Acacia Gold is a new technology entrepreneur who developed a fact-checking system that some social media companies use to filter posts that contain dangerous misinformation. Ms Gold is a national of Wattleland, but has lived in Buxifolia since she was a child. Following a national election in Buxifolia in November 2020 there was a breakdown in public order as some extreme elements refused to accept the result claiming (falsely) that the election was 'stolen'.

One of these groups, a militia organisation calling itself 'Paradoxa', began to mount violent attacks against government facilities and demanded that new elections be held. The most deadly assault occurred on 6 January 2021, when Paradoxa militiamen stormed the Buxifolia Parliament following a large protest outside the Parliament complex. The protest was one of a great number conducted across the country, and many of these were organised or approved by the 'Buxifolia Revolutionary Movement' (BRM), an umbrella group which has sought to capitalise on unrest and coordinate the overthrow of the Buxifolian government.

At the time of the 6 January insurrection, Acacia Gold was in the Parliament building meeting lawmakers to discuss how her fact-checking system could be used to strengthen public confidence in elections. When Paradoxa attacked the Parliament, Ms Gold took refuge with several Parliamentarians in a bunker underneath the main Parliamentary chamber. The Buxifolia Parliamentary Police (BPP), which has responsibility for safeguarding the Parliamentary complex, failed to prevent Paradoxa militiamen from reaching Ms Gold and assaulting her. Footage of the attack shows several BPP officers allowing Paradoxa entry to parts of the building. Ms Gold was seriously injured in the attack, and several parliamentarians were killed. After the attack BRM issued a statement condemning the violence, insisting that 'our revolution is and has always been peaceful'. However, there is evidence that several senior officials in the BRM had advance knowledge of Paradoxa's plans for 6 January, and could have used their influence to prevent the attack. Some Paradoxa militiamen wore BRM crests on their uniforms.

Following the events of 6 January, momentum built for full-scale revolution in Buxifolia, and a month later the government relinquished power to the BRM. Buxifolia is now governed by an interim revolutionary government, comprising a President, a council of revolutionary leaders (including several members of Paradoxa), and a 'People's Court'. The new President of Buxifolia issued the following statement on assuming office:

The new government of Buxifolia will govern for all Buxifolians and not only the elites who are responsible for the carnage that has beset out beautiful country. Nonetheless in the interests of national healing we must acknowledge our part in some of the wrongs committed in the name of the BRM, including the tragic events of 6 January.

Hearing this statement, and hoping that the rule of law had returned to the country, Acacia Gold sought compensation for her injuries before the People's Court. However, her claim was summarily dismissed on the basis that the new court system had to give priority to urgent criminal cases in the interests of public safety.

The government of Wattleland is considering what options it might have to pursue a claim against the Buxifolian government and has sought your advice as an expert in public international law.