China putting ex-NYT journalist on trial in leak case News
China putting ex-NYT journalist on trial in leak case

[JURIST] China [JURIST news archive] announced Saturday on the last working day that prosecutors were able to bring the case [IHT report] that it is putting journalist Zhao Yan on trial for stealing state secrets and fraud within the next six weeks. Yan had worked at the New York Times' Beijing Bureau as a researcher. When the Times ran a scoop about the retirement of former president Jiang Zemin [Wikipedia backgrounder] from his last post as head of the military in September 2004, Yan was accused of leaking the story to the paper and arrested [CCEC report]. The New York Times has repeatedly denied that Yan was the source for its scoop. The evidence against Yan is a photocopied research note he wrote which detailed a dispute between Jiang and successor Hu Jintao [official profile; Wikipedia profile] about the promotion of two generals.

China accuses more journalists than any other country. Earlier this year, Ching Cheong was detained after being accused of selling state secrets [JURIST report] to Taiwan and Shi Tao was jailed for ten years for divulging details of a censorship order [HRC backgrounder] to a US-based human rights group. The Telegraph 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.