Rwanda hate radio broadcaster transferred for genocide trial News
Rwanda hate radio broadcaster transferred for genocide trial

[JURIST] Joseph Serugendo, the former Technical Chief of Rwanda's Radio Télévision Libre des Milles Collines (RTLM) [Wikipedia backgrounder], nicknamed “Radio Machete” for inciting its listeners to commit murder, has been transferred to a United Nations detention facility in Tanzania [UN report; International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) press release] after being arrested in Gabon last Friday. Serugendo has been charged with five charges including genocide and conspiracy to commit genocide in connection with the 1994 genocide in Rwanda [JURIST news archive]. The ICTR [official website] hopes to bring 65-70 criminals accused of committing genocide and other crimes against humanity to justice by 2008, a trial termination date set by the UN Security Council [official website; ICTR status report, PDF]. Twenty-two people have been convicted so far, three acquitted. Twenty-five others are currently on trial, including a former prime minister and 11 government ministers. UN News 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.