Russia court upholds opposition leader’s conviction, suspends sentence News
Russia court upholds opposition leader’s conviction, suspends sentence
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[JURIST] A Russian appeals court on Wednesday upheld the embezzlement conviction of Alexei Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s chief political opponent, but suspended his five-year jail sentence, allowing him to walk free. Navalny was sentenced [JURIST report] to five years for embezzling 16 million roubles (USD $500,000) from a timber firm in the Kirov region in 2009. While Navalny may have succeeded in securing his freedom, the upheld conviction will prevent him from running [BBC report] in Russia’s next presidential election, scheduled for 2018. Standing outside the courthouse following his hearing, Navalny stated [Reuters report] Navalny pledged to remain involved in Russian politics.

Russia has cracked down on dissent recently. In June the UN released a letter from human rights experts voicing their concern [JURIST report] that two Russian non-governmental organizations have been charged by Russian prosecutors following their involvement with the UN Committee against Torture [official website]. In May a Russian court rejected an appeal [JURIST report] by members of the feminist punk group Pussy Riot [RASPI backgrounder; JURIST news archive] against their sentence for a protest against Putin. Earlier in May the EU expressed concern [press release, PDF] since its adoption last November. The law requires non-governmental organizations and non-commercial organizations to register as foreign agents if they engage in any political activity or receive foreign funding.

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.