Canadian authorities charge Rwandan man with war crimes News
Canadian authorities charge Rwandan man with war crimes

[JURIST] The Royal Canadian Mounted Police [official website] on Wednesday arrested and charged a Rwandan man living in Toronto with war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the 1994 genocide in Rwanda [JURIST news archive]. Desire Munyaneza, 39, faces seven charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act [text], making him the first person to be charged since the Act was passed in 2000. The RCMP said the arrest was the result of a five-year investigation by its war crimes unit [official website], along with help from the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda [JURIST news archive]. Authorities did not indicate what action would be taken against Munyaneza. Under the War Crimes Act, the Canadian government can deny a suspect refugee status, revoke citizenship, prosecute them or extradite them to an international tribunal for prosecution. The RCMP has a news release on the arrest. CBC 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.