ICTR turns 15 war crimes cases over to Rwanda News
ICTR turns 15 war crimes cases over to Rwanda

[JURIST] The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda [official website; JURIST Hot Topic] has turned over 15 war crimes cases under its authority to Rwandan officials for the first time in the tribunal's 10 year existence. The ICTR made the transfer Wednesday as part of its strategy [text, PDF] to complete prosecutions by the time its mandate ends in 2008. ICTR Hassan Jallow said the transfer was the first of several planned. The transferred cases all involve suspects who have not yet been indicted. Discussions continue on how transferred suspects should be held and tried by Rwandan authorities. Hirondelle Press Agency 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.