Romanian prosecutors summon ex-president to testify in riots inquiry News
Romanian prosecutors summon ex-president to testify in riots inquiry

[JURIST] Prosecutors on Monday summoned former Romanian President Ion Iliescu [Wikipedia profile] to testify in a criminal investigation into deadly riots by coal miners [Wikipedia backgrounder] in the 1990s. Iliescu refused to appear personally and instead sent his lawyers, who asked for a continuance to review evidence. No charges have been filed against him yet, but prosecutors are looking to charge Iliescu with undermining state authority or even crimes against humanity. The investigation stems from accusations that Iliescu asked coal miners to come to Bucharest and quell protests against his ruling party. He denies encouraging or asking for the miners. Reuters has more. Last week a Romanian court freed the militant leader of a 1991 miners strike [JURIST report].

THIS DAY @ LAW

Benito Mussolini becomes Prime Minister of Italy

Fascist leader Benito Mussolini became Prime Minister of Italy on October 31, 1922 after being appointed by King Victor Emmanuel II. Mussolini came to power after his paramilitary "blackshirts" marched on Rome to take control of the country's government. Italy would be under Mussolini's authoritarian rule until 1943, after which he was arrested and subsequently freed by the Nazis. Mussolini would rule a breakaway republic in Italy's north until his execution by anti-fascist partisans in 1945. Learn more about Benito Mussolini.

Nevada admitted to US after telegraphing Constitution

On October 31, 1864, Congress admitted Nevada as the 36th state in the US. With President Lincoln coming up for re-election and looking for support for his proposed 13th Amendment to the Constitution, Nevadans had moved quickly to meet the legal requirements for statehood, ultimately sending the entire text of the proposed state constitution to Washington by telegraph, creating in the longest—and most expensive—telegram on record to that date.

India PM Indira Gandhi assassinated

On October 31, 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two security guards, precipitating riots throughout the country.