Butcher of Komarr

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The Butcher of Komarr is the infamous title given to Aral Vorkosigan in Lois McMaster Bujold's sci fi series the Vorkosigan Saga.

Admiral Aral Vorkosigan of the Barrayaran Imperial Military Service led the Conquest of the planet Komarr prior to the novel Shards of Honor. Shortly thereafter, he was responsible for putting down the Komarr Revolt. During the revolt, several hundred high ranking Komarrans were held captive in Solstice, Komarr. Vorkosigan gave specific and explicit orders to spare the lives of the captives as he had given his personal word that they word not be killed. His political officer then ordered the execution of the Komarrans. After the slaughter, known as the Solstice Massacre, Vorkosigan killed his political officer with his bare hands for violating his word. Of course, this also removed the only witness to the Political Officer's order so it remains impossible to prove Vorkosigan's guilt or innocence. Because all of Komarr, and arguably the galaxy as a whole, believes Vorkosigan reneged on his word, he is known throughout the galaxy as The Butcher of Komarr.