Russia police officers plead not guilty to negligence in Beslan school hostage crisis News
Russia police officers plead not guilty to negligence in Beslan school hostage crisis

[JURIST] Three Russian police officers pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal negligence [JURIST report] in connection with the Beslan school hostage crisis [BBC report; timeline] on Thursday as their trial opened in southern Russia. Prosecutors say the police failed to raise security levels despite warnings about the possibility of attacks in the region. Chechen terrorists killed over 330 people in 2004, many of them children, after taking over the school and demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya.

If convicted, the police officers face up to 7 years in prison. Proceedings have been adjourned until March 20. BBC News has more. MosNews has local coverage.

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.