Ethiopia high court postpones verdict in ex-dictator genocide trial News
Ethiopia high court postpones verdict in ex-dictator genocide trial

[JURIST] Ethiopia's Federal High Court has postponed a verdict in the genocide trial of former dictator Mengistu Haile Miriam [Wikipedia profile] until next January. The announcement of the verdict had been scheduled for Tuesday. Even though the trial has lasted 12 years, the delay was necessary for the court to review new defense evidence, according to the head of the three-judge panel trying the case.

Mengistu, who has been in exile in Zimbabwe since rebels forced him from power in 1991, has been tried in absentia for the killings of thousands of people during his 17-year regime [USCIS backgrounder]. The Mail & Guardian has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.