Turkish court lifts YouTube ban News
Turkish court lifts YouTube ban

[JURIST] A Turkish court on Friday lifted a ban on YouTube [corporate website] two days after the court banned the popular video-sharing website [JURIST report]. The court had ordered telecom providers in the country to block access because of videos allegedly insulting the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk [Turkish News profile]. It is unclear why the court lifted the ban.

The controversial videos caused an uproar among Turks and led to prosecutors recommending the website be banned. During the past week, the country's media has been reporting a "virtual war" on YouTube between Turkey and Greece [JURIST news archives], in which citizens of both countries have been creating videos to mock the other. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.