Ukrainian Supreme Court rejects final election appeals News
Ukrainian Supreme Court rejects final election appeals

[JURIST] The Ukrainian Supreme Court [official website in Ukrainian] Wednesday denied four more appeals of the December 26th presidential election results filed by allies of former prime minister Viktor Yanukovych [BBC profile], citing missed filing dates and improperly formulated complaints as the reasons for the rejection. While it has not been confirmed by the Court itself, Yaroslav Davydovych of the country's Central Election Commission [official website] said no other appeals are pending and the court should be able to begin certifying the election results [CEC vote count]. Yanukovych lost the December election to challenger Viktor Yushchenko [BBC profile] after the initial November 21 election results were thrown out admist allegations of voter fraud. AP 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.