Kip (species)
Kips were a sentient species native to the planet Kip. They were considered to be noticeably small in stature. Zorba Desilijic Tiure was imprisoned on their world for illegal ulikuo gemstone mining,
Biology and appearance
Evolving on their homeworld, a planet also named Kip, the Kips were regarded as a tiny species.
Society and culture
The Kips possessed a strong belief in law and order. Their justice system did not allow for an appeals process, nor was extradition of prisoners permitted.
Their planet, a damp world of mud and caves, was a source of ulikuo gems, which were aesthetically pleasing and also held industrial applications. Unauthorized mining of these gems was illegal, and they were considered to be culturally significant to the Kips. The punishment for illegal mining could entail lifetime imprisonment.
A galactic standard year was the equivalent of three years on Kip.
History
During the Separatist Crisis, Zorba Desilijic Tiure was captured by the Kips and charged with illegal mining of ulikuo gems. His ship, the Zorba Express, was impounded. Prime Justice Doori-Doori sentenced the Hutt to forty-five standard years in prison for the crime, and alerted local security forces to be vigilant of breakout attempts. Zorba's lawyer, Bequin Fobas, attempted to appeal the sentence but was reminded that the Kips had no such process. The Hutt Grand Council then attempted to extradite Zorba to Nal Hutta, but the Kips would not allow this either. Republic Judiciaries were called in as a third party and supported the Kips' decisions. The illegally mined gemstones were not recovered; Zorba had hidden them away.
Zorba's plight made galactic news, and the case was featured in an edition of HoloNet News. Aruk Besadii Aora, a rival of Zorba's, admonished and slandered the Hutt in the news, while Jiliac Desilijic Tiron declared that the Hutts would not contest the verdict. Zorba was sent to the Girigard Subsurface Correctional Facility
Though he regarded it as a sort of vacation from the pressures of criminal life, Zorba served a significant portion of his sentence, remaining in Kip custody until 5 ABY. That year, alien pirates attacked on conquered Kip on the orders of Ysanne Isard, freeing all the prisoners within the Correctional Facility. Zorba dug up his hidden gemstones and fled the world, retaking the Zorba Express, which the Kips had been unable to operate.
Appearances
Zorba the Hutt Sentenced to 45 Years — HoloNet News Vol. 531 #48 (content now obsolete; backup link) (Mentioned only)- Zorba the Hutt's Revenge (First mentioned)