Israeli prosecutors charge antiquities dealers in worldwide fraud bust News
Israeli prosecutors charge antiquities dealers in worldwide fraud bust

[JURIST] Israeli prosecutors Wednesday charged four antiquities collectors with forgery and receiving fraudulent goods, alleging they had passed off ordinary items as biblical relics to unsuspecting consumers and modified items with some historic value by adding inscriptions. The objects include the notorious James ossuary, purported to have held the remains of Jesus' brother and controversially exhibited in North America in 2002. The antiquities fraud ring has been operating for 20 years, selling goods in Israel and acround the world. From Israel, Ha'aretz 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.