Pinochet granted bail on remaining rights charges News
Pinochet granted bail on remaining rights charges

[JURIST] Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet [JURIST news archive; BBC profile] was granted bail on Monday after seven weeks of house arrest on the three remaining charges against him relating to the disappearance and presumed death of dissidents during his 17-year rule. Pinochet was granted bail [JURIST report] last week on the six other human rights charges that have so far been leveled against him for his alleged role in the death of 119 members of an opposition group in the mid-1970s, an incident which has became known as Operation Colombo [Wikipedia backgrounder; BBC recorded audio]. Bail has been set at $19,000, but Pinochet, who has been found competent to stand trial [JURIST report] despite suffering from mild dementia and heart problems, must remain under house arrest until the bail is ratified by a appeals court expected to rule later this week. 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.