Egypt former president Hosni Mubarak released from prison News
Egypt former president Hosni Mubarak released from prison

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak [BBC profile] was released from prison on Friday after six years in custody. The planned release [Al-Masry Al-Youm report, in Arabic] was announced [JURIST report] earlier this month after Mubarak was cleared of a conspiracy [JURIST report] to murder protesters during the 2011 uprising, for which he was sentenced to life in prison in 2012. According to a report [text] by Amnesty International [offical website], about 840 people were killed and more than 6,000 people were injured during the violent eruption that some say was caused by Mubarak.

Mubarak and other members of his administration have been consistently involved in judicial proceedings since the Egyptian Revolution [JURIST backgrounder]. In October 2015 another Egyptian court ordered [JURIST report] the release of Mubarak’s sons, Gamal and Alaa Mubarak, after holding that they have completed their three-year prison sentences for embezzlement. In January 2015 a court in Egypt overturned [JURIST report] the May 2014 convictions of Mubarak on embezzlement charges and ordered a retrial. In December 2013 a court acquitted [JURIST report] former prime minister and presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq and Alaa and Gamal Mubarak of charges of embezzling public funds.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.