Spanish Supreme Court denies second appeal for Catalan Separatist News
Spanish Supreme Court denies second appeal for Catalan Separatist

The Spanish Supreme Court [official website] on Thursday rejected [decision, PDF} a second appeal by Catalan political activist Jordi Sanchez. His first appeal [JURIST, report] was denied in March by the same court and judge. While in jail, Sanchez will not be eligible to be elected leader of a regional Catalan independence party.

Sànchez has been in custody [JURIST report] since October over charges of rebellion and sedition based on his alleged role in using demonstrations to stop police from halting the unilateral independence referendum, that eventually was found to be unconstitutional [JURIST report].

Judge Pablo Llarena denied [press release] Sanchez the opportunity to be seen via video at the Catalan parliament. Sanchez, in his second appeal, claimed he should have protected rights because the UN called on the Spanish government to respect the rights of arrested Catalan independence supporters. Llarena responded that the UN did not specifically ask anything special of Spain’s treatment of prisoners but merely respect their rights.

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.