Russia releases two former Gitmo detainees News
Russia releases two former Gitmo detainees

[JURIST] Russia [JURIST news archive] on Friday released two former Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] detainees from a Moscow detention center. Airat Vakhitov and Rustam Akhmyarov, who were extradited to Russia by the US in 2004, were arrested [JURIST report] earlier this week on suspicion of plotting terror attacks in the Povolzhye region of the country. Vakhitov sued the US [JURIST report] in June for alleged rights abuses while he was held at Guantanamo. He now reportedly participates in human rights activities in Moscow. From Russia, Mosnews has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

First US execution by gas

On February 8, 1924, Gee Jon, a Chinese man convicted of murder, was executed by gas in Nevada and became the first person in the United States to be put to death in that manner.

The Nevada state legislature had eliminated hanging and shooting as a method of execution in 1921, and had provided for execution by lethal gas instead. Nevada sent 32 convicts to the gas chamber between 1924 and 1979. Learn more about the history of executions by gas in Nevada.

Mary, Queen of Scots executed

On February 8, 1587, Mary I of Scotland was executed for involvement in a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I of England. Before execution, Mary denied three times assisting the Babington Plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth, and crown Mary as ruler of Great Britain. Mary's guilt or innocence is debated to this day. Learn more about the Babington Plot.