Former Rwanda president begins appeal against incitement conviction News
Former Rwanda president begins appeal against incitement conviction

[JURIST] The first post-genocide president in Rwanda [government website], Pasteur Bizimungu [Wikipedia profile], begins his appeal process Monday before the Rwandan Supreme Court to challenge his convictions for inciting civil disobedience, associating with criminals and embezzling public funds. Bizimungu is currently serving a 15 year sentence and has continually denied his guilt. Prosecutors are seeking to have the sentence extended to a life term, while Bizimungu's defense counsel are seeking to reduce the former leader's prison time. Bizimungu was arrested in 2002 after trying to form a new political party which the government alleged was aimed at re-igniting tensions between the Tutsi and Hutu elements of the population. BBC News has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.