50 British soldiers still face prosecution for killing, abusing Iraqis News
50 British soldiers still face prosecution for killing, abusing Iraqis

[JURIST] Approximately 50 British soldiers are facing court martial [UK MOD backgrounder] for murder, manslaughter, assault and other crimes in Iraq. The allegations against them are contained in secret military documents obtained by London's Sunday Telegraph [article, registration required]. The documents show that almost 3 times the number of soldiers face charges than has been admitted by the British Ministry of Defence, including 2 cases where Iraqi civilians were drowned by members of the SAS, the elite Special Air Services. On Friday, a military judge in Germany sentenced 3 British soldiers to prison [UK MOD press release; JURIST report] for abusing Iraqi civilians, prompting a formal apology by the General Sir Mike Jackson, Chief of the British General Staff. A senior government lawyer has raised concerns about the government's ability to investigate allegations against soldiers. The Guardian has background on the latest prosecutions.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.