Thailand high court takes corruption case against ex-PM Thaksin, cabinet ministers News
Thailand high court takes corruption case against ex-PM Thaksin, cabinet ministers

[JURIST] The Supreme Court of Thailand Monday agreed to hear [AP report] a new corruption case against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra [BBC backgrounder; JURIST news archive] and 47 others, including three current cabinet members. The case involves allegations of misconduct related to the national lottery system, and names Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Labor Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemas as defendants. The status of the serving ministers under Thai law is in dispute; at a meeting [Reuters report] Tuesday, the Cabinet asked the government's legal experts to look into the issue and make recommendations rather than suspend the ministers outright, as some experts say is required under the constitution. AFP has more.

Earlier this month, the Thai Attorney General's Office filed other corruption charges [JURIST report] against Thaksin relating to a 2003 resolution that reduced fees paid by mobile phone companies to state telecommunications agencies. A company then owned by Thaksin's family saw the greatest benefit from the new payment scheme, leading to claims that Thaksin misused his authority for personal gain. Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup [JURIST report] in 2006, is currently the subject of 24 legal actions.

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.