Ivory Coast journalists arrested and charged with inciting rebellion News
Ivory Coast journalists arrested and charged with inciting rebellion

Six journalists were arrested in Ivory Coast [government website, in French] on Sunday and charged with “spreading false information,” according to media outlets [Abidjan report, in French] and public prosecutors. The journalists, including three media owners, allegedly published stories designed to incite further mutiny by security forces in the country who are protesting over compensation. The alleged “false news” appeared in Le Temps, Notre Voie and L’Inter and SoirInfo [websites]. Multiple publishing groups in the country have condemned the arrests and called for the journalists, who are currently being held in the capital city Abidjan, to be released. Among those demanding their release is Patrice Yao, president of the Groupement des Editeurs de Presse de Côte d’Ivoire, who said in a statement, “The professional organizations … strongly condemn the arbitrary and unlawful detention of their colleagues and demand their unconditional release.”

The Ivory Coast has faced turmoil since 2010 when former president Laurent Gbagbo [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] lost his second presidential race to former prime minister Alassane Ouattara [BBC profile]. In January, UN Independent Expert Mohammed Ayat described [JURIST report] some of the challenges that Ivory Coast must face as the UN Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) withdraws from the country.The EU recognized that Ouattara defeated Gbagbo, but Gbagbo refused to concede victory [JURIST report]. Gbagbo has been accused [JURIST report] of starting a civil war after losing the presidency, which resulted in 3,000 deaths and the displacement of one million people. Voters in the Ivory Coast successfully approved [JURIST report] a new constitution last year. In November, Oattara signed [JURIST report] the constitution into law. Amid political tensions, the Ivory Coast continues to host human rights violations. In July, the UN released a report [JURIST report] claiming that the Ivory Coast needed to make greater efforts to prevent and punish rape. In May, the Human Rights Watch called [JURIST report] for the trial of the former Ivory Coast first lady to be credible, fair, and followed by the trials of other high-level rights abusers.

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.