Trial of September 11 suspects opens in Spain News
Trial of September 11 suspects opens in Spain

[JURIST] The trial of 24 suspected members of an al-Quaida cell in Spain began in Madrid Friday. Three of the suspects allegedly used Spain as a staging ground for the September 11, 2001 attacks [JURIST news archive] against targets in the United States. Spain is now the second European country, after Germany, to try suspects involved in the attacks. The three 9/11 suspects, Imad Yarkas, Driss Chebli, and Ghasoub al-Abrash Ghalyoun, are accused of providing logistical cover and information regarding the US targets to other terrorists, including video surveillance of the World Trade Center buildings. The other 21 defendants are charged with terrorism offenses, but are not directly linked to the September 11 attacks. AP has more. Madrid El Mundo provides a "who's who" of the accused and their judges [in Spanish].

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.