ICTY takes custody of long-sought war crimes suspect News
ICTY takes custody of long-sought war crimes suspect

[JURIST] The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia [official website; JURIST news archive] announced Friday that it had taken Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect Sredoje Lukic [ICTY case backgrounder] into custody almost seven years after he was originally indicted. Lukic, a former policeman, is alleged to have been a member of "The White Eagles," a paramilitary group led by his cousin that has been accused of killing Bosnian Muslims during the Balkan conflict. Lukic reportedly fled to Russia in the late 1990s before surrendering [JURIST report] to Bosnian Serb authorities on Tuesday. Six war crimes suspects remain at large as the tribunal seeks to complete its work by 2010. The ICTY has a news release. 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.