Considering the gamemode's and it's rules' complexity, i think it does, since a LOT of stuff depend on specific wording.
It's understandable to punish based on punishments history and with haste indeed, but not in this case as it is not an obvious rule break imo from the player's pov, regardless if that player is a year-long member.
The lack of communication i mentioned was referring to the part between identifying the rule break, and taking action against it. If the player was informed and given an explanation before being harshly punished, this could have been avoided completely, assuming they understood and stopped.
If this was actually done and the player proceeded to ignore the verbal, then i'd have to minussp.