Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, April 28.
In 1945, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Claretta Petacci, are both shot to death as they attempt an escape to neighboring Switzerland. Mussolini had quickly turned Italy into a regime that rejected democracy and favored a government that doesn’t take “no” for an answer. When German dictator Adolf Hitler began his rise to power, Mussolini was quick to form an alliance with the fascist Nazi empire. Once Germany invaded Poland, Mussolini believed that the war would end in months with a German victory. Years later, Germany was on the retreat, leaving Mussolini with no option but to do the same. He and Petacci made a run for the Swiss border due to the country’s declared neutrality on the war. However, the Italian guards on the border quickly recognized their defamed leader and arrested the duo. After their arrest and execution, their corpses joined 13 other members of the fascist cabinet to be hung at the Piazzale Loreto in Milan, where civilians stoned and desecrated them: an example that Hitler himself knew would be his fate upon Germany’s surrender.
In 1996, 35 tourists are killed at Port Arthur, which is located in the Australian state of Tasmania. It’s believed that the massacre sourced from a property sale that fell through, prompting potential buyer Martin Bryant to carry out the killings. He was arrested and convicted on dozens of charges related to murder. He’s currently serving his 35 consecutive life sentences at Risdon Prison in Tasmania. The massacre prompted Australian lawmakers to outlaw the sale of semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, along with enforcing strict gun licenses and registration. Legislation continues to be debated upon the aftermath of the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting.
In 2004, CBS broadcasts a report on the abuse of Iraqi prisoners in the prison of Abu Ghraib. This was during a period of intense scrutiny following the discovery of torture methods conducted primarily by the CIA. Abu Ghraib was only one example, with another notorious case being the torture of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. The majority of these prisoners were suspected terrorists who were detained on little to no evidence. Due to both of these prisons being built outside of American jurisdiction, only few were given legal representation. One of the more publicized stories was that of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, who was suspected to be a mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks in New York. He was not formally charged with anything before or during his detention. Most of the evidence presented by the prosecution was inadmissible due to it being sourced from Slahi’s own statements during torture sessions. He was ultimately released after almost two decades of questioning.