Lebanese officials release former legislator in Hariri inquiry News
Lebanese officials release former legislator in Hariri inquiry

[JURIST] Lebanon [JURIST news archive] on Wednesday released a former lawmaker questioned in the investigation into the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri [Wikipedia profile]. Nasser Qandil, a pro-Syrian legislator, refused to comment on what he told investigators after he turned himself in [Arabic News report] Tuesday to the UN commission [JURIST report] investigating the killing after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Four other pro-Syrian security officials remained in custody after being arrested [JURIST report] Tuesday. Lebanese President Emil Lahoud played down the arrests [Arabic News report] and said that no arrest warrants had been issued, a statement that contradicted media reports on the arrests. Media sources owned by the Hariri family reported that Qandil and the other four were questioned concerning a letter Qandil allegedly sent to Syria in support of assassinating Hariri. Investigators also searched two Beirut apartments Wednesday, in the latest of a series of breaks in the investigation into the February bombing that killed the former premier. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.