Former Iraq deputy PM threatens hunger strike over lack of access to chosen lawyer News
Former Iraq deputy PM threatens hunger strike over lack of access to chosen lawyer

[JURIST] Former Saddam Hussein-era Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] is threatening to go on a hunger strike, his son Ziad Aziz told AFP Thursday. Ziad says that Aziz and 14 other detainees are threatening to initiate a hunger strike next week if Iraqi authorities do not allow Aziz's preferred lawyer, Badih Aref Izzat, to enter Iraq and be present during Aziz's interrogations. Ziad says that Izzat is currently prohibited from returning to Iraq for unspecified reasons.

Last Saturday, Izzat said that Aziz had fainted several times while in detention and was taken to a US military hospital [JURIST report]. Aziz, who surrendered to US forces in 2003, has complained of health problems [JURIST report] throughout his detention. In March, Aziz denied [JURIST report] that Hussein's government had ever carried out attacks while testifying before the Iraqi High Tribunal [official website] in the Anfal genocide trial [JURIST news archive; BBC trial timeline]. AFP has more

THIS DAY @ LAW

US Supreme Court ruled Indians not US citizens

On November 3, 1884, the US Supreme Court ruled in Elk v. Wilkins that John Elk, an American Indian who had tried to vote in a federal election in Omaha, Nebraska, was not a US citizen entitled to the protection of the 14th and 15th Amendments of the US Constitution. Native Americans became eligible for citizenship in 1887 under the Dawes Act, but only in 1924, under the Indian Citizenship Act, were all Native Americans born in the US made citizens.

Last public execution at Tyburn Gallows in London

On November 3, 1783, the last public execution took place at Tyburn Gallows in London, when John Austin was hanged for highway robbery. From the hanging of William Fitz Osburn in 1196 until Austin's execution, Tyburn served as London's primary location for public executions.

Learn more about the trial of John Austin.