Palestinian judges strike amid security concerns News
Palestinian judges strike amid security concerns

[JURIST] All legal proceedings in the West Bank and Gaza came to an abrupt halt Saturday after all Palestinian Authority judges went on strike. According to reports, the judges went on strike after repeated calls for increased courtroom and personal security were not met. Last week, the home of Chief Justice Zuhair al-Surani was attacked [Reuters report], and a bomb damaged the home of Attorney General Hussein Abu Asi. Al-Surani later told reporters that he had resigned in protest at what he called "lawlessness in the courts", although whether he had actually submitted a formal resignation to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is unclear. Reuters 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.