UN court reduces Rwandan’s life sentence for genocide News
UN court reduces Rwandan’s life sentence for genocide

[JURIST] An appeals court for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda [official website] Monday set aside the life sentence of Juvenal Kajelijeli [profile], convicted in 2003 of genocide and incitement to commit genocide, and converted it to 45 years with credit given for seven years served. An ICTR press release cited violations of Kajelijeli's fundamental rights during his arrest and detention for the reduced sentence given to the former mayor of Mukingo. Kajelijeli was found guilty mobilizing troops and ordering them to murder Tutsis and played a key role in setting up roadblocks for more efficient killing. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.