UN investigator says more suspects involved in Hariri assassination News
UN investigator says more suspects involved in Hariri assassination

[JURIST] The investigator leading the UN inquiry [JURIST report] into the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri [official website] said Thursday that there may be more suspects involved in the assassination, in addition to the five pro-Syrian men already arrested [JURIST report; UN News report]. On Tuesday, the investigation took a dramatic turn with the arrests of three former heads of Lebanese security agencies who allegedly were involved in orchestrating the car bombing that killed Hariri and 20 others. In addition to the arrests, a former legislator turned himself in to authorities but was released yesterday [JURIST report]. Head of the Future Bloc in Parliament MP Saad Rafic Hariri welcomed [press release] the investigation's recent arrests and said they were a "significant step towards serving justice." AP has more.

2:45 PM ET – A Lebanese prosecutor has announced the indictments of four pro-Syrian generals in the Hariri murder investigation. The men, who were among those detained earlier this week, have been charged with murder, attempted murder and carrying out a terrorist act. 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.