Chile court strips Pinochet of immunity to face tax fraud charges News
Chile court strips Pinochet of immunity to face tax fraud charges

[JURIST] The Santiago Appeals Court, the intermediate appellate jurisdiction in Chile, stripped former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet [JURIST news archive] of immunity Tuesday so he can face charges of tax fraud in connection with as much as $17 million he held in secret bank accounts, some in the US [JURIST report]. Riggs Bank eventually settled cases with the US Justice Department [JURIST report] and with families of victims [JURIST report] for their role in maintaining the accounts. Pinochet's defense team is expected to appeal to the country's Supreme Court. Twice before his immunity was revoked in response to charges of human rights abuses during his rule. Reuters 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.