Nepalese king eases house arrests, releases more political prisoners News
Nepalese king eases house arrests, releases more political prisoners

[JURIST] Nepalese King Gyanendra [official profile] Friday lifted the house arrest of Nepali Congress [political party website] Girija Prasad Koirala and freed nearly 257 other people detained after he declared a state of emergency in February [JURIST report]. Three weeks ago King Gyanendra lifted similar house arrest restrictions placed on former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba [biography]. Since disbanding the country's government, King Gyanendra has ordered top political leaders to be kept under house arrest, and supporters and activists jailed. Some suspect that Gyanendra's recent decisions to release some prisoners and ease restrictions have been prompted by Britain and India's decisions to cut aid, and similar threats by the United States and other countries. 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.