Former Yukos security chief convicted of murder News
Former Yukos security chief convicted of murder

[JURIST] The former head of security for fallen Russian oil giant Yukos [corporate website] has been convicted of murder and attempted murder in a Russian court, the first conviction among former Yukos executives being held in Russia. Lawyers for Alexei Pachugin, who was accused of carrying out murders for Leonid Nevzlin [JURIST report], Yukos' second-largest shareholder, have announced that they will appeal the ruling, which was reached in a secret retrial after the initial jury was dismissed by the Moscow City Court. Pachugin's lawyers said that if the Russian Supreme Court [court website, in English] declines to annul the verdict, they will appeal to the European Court. BBC News has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.