Treason/Legends

"In the name of the Galactic Senate of the Republic, you're under arrest, Chancellor.''" "Are you threatening me, Master Jedi?" "The Senate will decide your fate." "I am the Senate." "Not yet." "It's treason, then.""

- Mace Windu and Palpatine

Treason was the crime of acting against a legitimately recognized government or an official of that government. The definition of treason varied based on the type of government. In an Imperial or dictatorial government, even merely speaking against the government or its policies could be considered treasonous behavior. Traitor was the formal term for an individual that had committed treason.

Though some governments treated all treason equally, others made a distinction between it and high treason, very serious treason that was almost always punished by death, even in non-Imperial governments.

In certain cases, a distinction was made between the crime of treason and that of sedition, the act of simply speaking against the established order, but not actually acting. In many cases, however, even simply speaking against the established government was described as "treason."

Under the Galactic Republic
"The Council, approved your appointment because Palpatine trusts you. They want you to report on all his dealings. They have to know what he's up to.''" "They want me to spy on the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic? Obi-Wan, that's treason!" "''We are at war, Anakin. The Council is sworn to uphold the principles of the Republic through any means necessary. We have to. Especially when the greatest enemy of those principles seems to be the Chancellor himself!"

- Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker discuss a mission that could well be considered treasonous.

As a group of Jedi Masters discussed the possible forcible removal of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine from office, Obi-Wan Kenobi stated that such an action was treason and Mace Windu replied that he wasn't afraid of words and that the real treason would be failure to act.

When Obi-Wan Kenobi told Anakin Skywalker that the Jedi High Council agreed to his appointment as Palpatine's personal representative because they wanted him to spy on him, Skywalker described such an action as both a violation of the Jedi Code and treason, but Kenobi said it was not treason and might be the only way to save the Galactic Republic.

Later, Palpatine told Skywalker he was concerned the Jedi Order was plotting treason against him and to overthrow the government. Then, when trying to convince him to join the dark side of the Force, he told him "Turn you back on treason."

When the Jedi arrived to arrest him, he declared "It's treason, then," before engaging them in a lightsaber duel.

Under the Galactic Empire
"Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by rebel spies. I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you.''" "I don't know what you're talking about. I am a member of the Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan." "''You are part of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor! Take her away!"

- Darth Vader and Leia Organa

Although not always directly referred to as such, the Galactic Empire considered the very existence of the Rebel Alliance treason against it and vigorously pursued anyone involved with it as traitors.

Raygar was an archaeologist who accidentally fired at Galactic Emperor Palpatine's personal shuttle. The unusual step was taking of charging him with high treason, of which he was convincted. Palpatine then carried out his punishment personally.

Journalists were often targeted by the Galactic Empire for committing treason for writing articles unfavorable to the Empire or its policies. Some of these later became members of the Erased. The penalty for treason under the Empire was often death.

In 5 ABY, following the formation of the New Republic, Sate Pestage attempted to defect from the Galactic Empire and became wanted by the Galactic Empire for high treason. He was assassinated for his treason.

Behind the scenes

 * Much of the speech prosecuted by the Galactic Empire as "treason" is, in fact, what is traditionally considered by real-life courts as "sedition." The term "sedition" does appear with the Expanded Universe and the Galactic Empire, in fact, has a branch named Sedition, but the term appears far less frequently than "treason."

Appearances

 * Star Wars: The Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith novelization
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
 * The Last of the Jedi: Underworld
 * The Hutt Gambit
 * Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron 33: Mandatory Retirement, Part 2
 * Fate of the Jedi: Vortex
 * The Hutt Gambit
 * Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron 33: Mandatory Retirement, Part 2
 * Fate of the Jedi: Vortex
 * Fate of the Jedi: Vortex