I have been playing this game for several years now (my first character on the Italian server was created over 8-9 years ago), and I can confirm that the rules have always been applied in an arbitrary way. unfortunately there is no one who guarantees the impartiality of the decisions. yet with all the money coming into this game it would not be difficult to pay someone to check that the work of the guards and that the rules are respected for all to the same extent. until you entrust everything in the hands of volunteers (guards are normal players) you will always have problems.
I saw people that years ago organized the battlefields on skype turning into guards. I've seen people go to jail for nothing and other people do worse things without going to prison. I saw guards talking and behaving like 12-year-olds who had their candy removed. I have seen (personal experience) gifts with heavy insults being ignorant despite reporting (repeatedly), and other gifts with lighter words being severely punished.
I repeat. need EXTERNAL figures to the game, like an administrator, who is educated and paid to make sure that some justice comes to us.
....and need change and update some rules (also attak rules), I hope that this game can continue for many more years, and that it does not go to die for lack of interest
sorry for bad english, I hope it is seen as constructive criticism