US Attorney General Merrick Garland reaffirms US commitment to hold Russia accountable for war crimes in memorandum of understanding News
© WikiMedia Commons (The US Department of Justice)
US Attorney General Merrick Garland reaffirms US commitment to hold Russia accountable for war crimes in memorandum of understanding

US Attorney General Merrick Garland Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the seven-member Joint Investigative Team (JIT) investigating Russian war crimes during a surprise visit to Ukraine

Garland said he had made the trip on the invitation of Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin to join international partners at the United for Justice Conference.

Garland stated that the US was “pleased to be the first country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with all seven JIT national members.”

He further stated:

In addition to our work in partnership with Ukraine and the international community, the United States has also opened criminal investigations into war crimes in Ukraine that may violate U.S. law. Although we are still building our cases, interviewing witnesses, and collecting evidence… Our prosecutors are working day and night to bring them to justice as quickly as possible.

At the conference, Garland also met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Kostin, EU Commissioner Didier Reynders, Polish Minister of Justice General Zbigniew Ziobro, and Polish National Prosecutor Barski for further discussions about how the US can partner internationally on these issues.

The US officially declared last month that Russia had committed crimes against humanity in its war against Ukraine.

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.