A former Gambian military officer testified Thursday about torture he endured nearly 20 years ago. Pharing Sanyang told a Denver federal court he was beaten with pipes, palm branches, pistol-whipped, and hit with a hammer. Sand particles damaged his eyes during beatings that required multiple surgeries later. He identified Michael Sang Correa as one of his torturers.
Correa faces charges under a rare U.S. law allowing prosecution for torture committed abroad. Prosecutors say he served with the Junglers, a military unit directly under former dictator Yahya Jammeh. Sanyang signed a false confession but smeared blood on it to show he was forced. He read his confession to television cameras after being shocked with electrical wires.
Several victims traveled from Gambia, Europe, and elsewhere in America to testify about their experiences. Demba Dem described having a plastic bag placed over his head during beatings. He said torturers hung him upside down, put hot metal near his nose. Defense lawyers argue Correa was a low-ranking soldier who feared becoming a victim himself if he disobeyed orders.
Correa arrived in America in 2016 as a bodyguard for Jammeh. He stayed after the dictator lost power in 2017, working as a day laborer in Denver. The trial continues next week as part of international efforts to hold Jammeh-era officials accountable for human rights abuses.
Correa faces charges under a rare U.S. law allowing prosecution for torture committed abroad. Prosecutors say he served with the Junglers, a military unit directly under former dictator Yahya Jammeh. Sanyang signed a false confession but smeared blood on it to show he was forced. He read his confession to television cameras after being shocked with electrical wires.
Several victims traveled from Gambia, Europe, and elsewhere in America to testify about their experiences. Demba Dem described having a plastic bag placed over his head during beatings. He said torturers hung him upside down, put hot metal near his nose. Defense lawyers argue Correa was a low-ranking soldier who feared becoming a victim himself if he disobeyed orders.
Correa arrived in America in 2016 as a bodyguard for Jammeh. He stayed after the dictator lost power in 2017, working as a day laborer in Denver. The trial continues next week as part of international efforts to hold Jammeh-era officials accountable for human rights abuses.
