European criminal justice systems review [COE] News
European criminal justice systems review [COE]

Allegations of politically-motivated abuses of the criminal justice system in Council of Europe member states, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, June 23, 2009 [addressing politically-motivated legal abuses, including Russia's shortcomings in combating "structural defects that lead to the accusation and conviction of many innocent persons" within the country].

Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here. Latest commentary available here. JURIST has more on calls for judicial reform in Russia.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Sweden becomes first nation to ban aerosols

On January 29, 1978, Sweden became the first country to outlaw aerosol sprays. The ban was enacted to address the harmful effects of aerosols on the Earth's ozone layer. Read about aerosol sprays and the ozone layer of Earth's atmosphere from NASA.

Patty Hearst's prison sentence commuted by President Carter

On January 29, 1979, kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst's seven-year prison sentence for bank robbery as a member of the Symbianese Liberation Army was commuted by President Jimmy Carter. Hearst was later pardoned by President Bill Clinton.

US Army kills 250 Native Americans in Bear River Massacre

250 Northern Shoshone men, women, and children were killed on January 29, 1863 by the US Army in what is now the state of Idaho. The army attacked a Shoshone camp after meeting resistance to westward expansion, and the army fired indiscriminately during the attack. Learn more about the Bear River Massacre.