Iraq court blocks Saddam family attempt to fire legal team News
Iraq court blocks Saddam family attempt to fire legal team

[JURIST] The family of Saddam Hussein told reporters Sunday that the Iraqi Special Tribunal [official website] has blocked its attempt to replace the former dictator's massive Jordan-based legal team. Earlier this month, Hussein's family dissolved said it was dissolving the fractious collection of some 2000 lawyers [JURIST report] and had appointed Iraqi lawyer Khalil Dulaimi as lead counsel, alleging Saddam was receiving inadequate legal representation. In a letter to the family, the Tribunal denied the family's authority in the matter, insisting that "the exclusive right to empower any lawyer or to cancel any power of attorney is for defendant Saddam Hussein". The decision means that Khaleel Abood Saleh Aldelami remains lead counsel [IST Hussein defense counsel list]; it is unclear if Hussein himself will request a change. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.