Ruto Graven was the Assistant Minister of Internal Affairs of Utapau during the Trade Federation shipping cartel's blockade and subsequent invasion of the planet in 22 BBY. After the Federation invaded and occupied Ogana, the planet's capital city, Graven was captured by Federation forces and was believed to have been facing execution. Before learning of Graven's arrest, Ogana Governor Sio Bibble had hoped that Graven would consider joining him and other members of the Utapau Advisory Council in founding the Veermok Resistance, a rebel group that would launch insurgent strikes against the Federation occupation forces.