Turkish Guantanamo detainee claims abuse News
Turkish Guantanamo detainee claims abuse

[JURIST] A lawyer representing a German-born Turk held at the US terror suspect detention camp at Guanatanamo Bay claimed Wednesday that his client had been subjected to torture, physical abuse and sexual humilation by interrogators. Murat Kurnaz [Amnesty International case sheet], 22, is said to have been captured in Pakistan after travelling there in October 2001. His lawyer denied allegations that he was associated with al Qaeda or the Taliban, and insisted that the US and German governments knew this. Kurnaz's parents have been working to obtain his release [ACLU Guantanamo families profile]. AP has more.

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.