Cambodia war crimes court charges former Khmer Rouge leader with genocide News
Cambodia war crimes court charges former Khmer Rouge leader with genocide

[JURIST] The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) [official website] on Friday charged Khieu Samphan [Trial Watch profile; JURIST news archive], the former head of state during the Khmer Rouge [BBC backgrounder; JURIST news archive] regime, with genocide for his involvement in the deaths of thousands of Vietnamese and ethnic Cham Muslims. While not denying the killings took place, Samphan has denied culpability [BBC report], saying he was not directly responsible. Samphan also faces domestic charges [AFP report] including torture, religious persecution, and murder. Samphan had previously been charged [order, PDF; JURIST report] with war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Samphan is the third member of the Khmer Rouge to be charged with genocide [JURIST report] this week. Former deputy leader and chief ideologist Nuon Chea and foreign minister Ieng Sary [Trial Watch profiles] were charged [case materials] with genocide on Wednesday in connection with crimes allegedly committed against Vietnamese people and ethnic Cham Muslims. Both defendants have already been charged with breaches of the Geneva Convention [ICRC backgrounder] and crimes against humanity. The Khmer Rouge is generally held responsible for the genocide of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians [PPU backgrounder] who died between 1975 and 1979.

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.