[quote=@Ophidian]
<Snipped quote by RisenDead>

I thank you for the offer, truly. But I think that's a risky game, if he comes back.
[/quote]He hasn't posted for 24 days and his last login is in 20 days. I think it's pretty fair if somebody else takes his claim.
I was actually "victim" of such a fair number of times already.  Don't see me defending him regardless.
It happens. Being flexible is often preferable.
You also don't need to take all his territories. You can carve the shape of your own nation here.