Khadr admitted throwing grenade that killed soldier: US interrogator News
Khadr admitted throwing grenade that killed soldier: US interrogator

[JURIST] Canadian Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr [DOD materials; JURIST news archive] admitted throwing a hand grenade that killed a US soldier in Afghanistan, according to the pre-trial testimony Monday of an American intelligence official. The official, identified as Interrogator 11, said Khadr expressed pride in learning he had caused the death of an American. Khadr's attorneys contend there are photographs and eye-witness accounts contradicting their client's alleged confession. Also Monday, special agent Robert Fuller testified that Khadr had identified former detainee and deported Canadian Maher Arar [advocacy website; JURIST news archive] by name when shown a photograph, saying he recognized Arar from an al Qaeda safe-house in Kabul. Notes taken at a 2002 FBI [official website] interrogation of Khadr emerged Tuesday that differ somewhat from Fuller's testimony, indicating Khadr only said Arar "looked familiar."

Rights groups have lobbied the Obama administration [joint letter text, PDF] to halt the trial [JURIST report] of Khadr, scheduled to begin January 26, as he was 15 years old at the time he allegedly threw a grenade that killed a US solider in 2002. He was charged [charge sheet, PDF; JURIST report] with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, providing material support for terrorism, and spying in April 2007. The pre-trial hearing began Monday after a judge denied a request for a delay [JURIST report] of the proceedings.

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.