UPDATE ~ Russian court rejects Khodorkovsky appeal, cuts sentence News
UPDATE ~ Russian court rejects Khodorkovsky appeal, cuts sentence

[JURIST] A Moscow court Thursday rejected the appeal of jailed Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky [JURIST news archive; defense website] against his conviction [JURIST report] on fraud and tax evasion charges, but reduced his nine-year sentence [JURIST report] to eight years. The decision, which followed several postponements of the proceedings [JURIST report], came after just one day of arguments from the prosecution and defense. Khodorkovsky's lawyers have said that their client did not get a fair appeal and likened the proceedings to a Soviet-era hearing. This would appear to end Khodorkovsky's intended parliamentary run [JURIST report]. Russia's Central Election Commission [official website] has indicated that Khodorkovsky is only eligible to run while his case is under appeal or if his conviction is overturned. AP has more. MosNews has local coverage.

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.