Some notable figures:
Drupar Maak, the Starkmanir who took an imperial scepter to kill his owner, thus creating the Khummak and starting the genocide on his tribe.[
1]
Karin Midular, head of the Sebiestor tribe, former prime minister, very controversial in her regime because she
seemed to be appeasing to the Amarr - some claim she actually was, others say she was just faking this in an attempt to prevent a war the Minmatar could not win, and in reality was supporting all sorts of anti-Amarr activities.[
2]
Malaetu Shakor, the former head of the Brutor tribe, strong supporter of war with the Empire during Midular's time, now head of the Republic as the "San Matar".[
3]
Karishal Muritor, a former captain 1st class of the Republic Fleet and bearer of the prestigious Drupar's Sun medal, defected from his post, stealing a fleet of ships to found the rebel group "The Defiants" to wage the war against the Amarr that the Republic was trying to avoid. A huge diplomatic incident in its time. He ended up being killed by the Republic in a very controversial way. [
4,
5,
6] (and many others)
Kanth Filmir, a former admiral of the Republic Fleet, close friend of Karishal Muritor, sent to hunt him down and bring him in for a trial for defection of his post and theft of Republic property. Muritor declined to come along and was shot down. This caused an outrage and Filmir resigned from his post.[
7]
The Muritor story arc was for me pretty much the best story arc Aurora ever did. It's also a very good explanation of the old RP conflict within the Minmatar faction split into those that think that starting a war now would destroy the Republic, hence tried to avoid diplomatic incidents while keeping on freeing slaves in secret, and those that think we need to strike the Empire, now. I sometimes miss that time, but EA pretty much ended those subtle RP possibilities.