A jury in Colorado found former Gambian soldier Michael Sang Correa guilty of torture. He served in a military unit called the Junglers under dictator Yahya Jammeh. The Department of Justice said Correa tried to escape punishment for his crimes after moving to Denver in 2016. Officials tracked him down through an investigation. Authorities first arrested him in 2019 for staying beyond his visa limits.
The 46-year-old becomes the first non-American convicted under a federal law allowing prosecution of overseas torture. Evidence showed Correa helped torture five people accused of plotting against Jammeh. Victims testified about being electrocuted, smothered with plastic bags, beaten, stabbed, and burned. His lawyers argued he merely followed orders as a low-ranking soldier. Each count carries a maximum 20-year sentence.
Jammeh ruled Gambia from 1994 until losing the 2016 election. He currently lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea but remains influential back home. A truth commission later documented numerous abuses during his time in power. Sirra Ndow from a victims' group said the verdict proves human rights violators cannot escape justice regardless of location.
The 46-year-old becomes the first non-American convicted under a federal law allowing prosecution of overseas torture. Evidence showed Correa helped torture five people accused of plotting against Jammeh. Victims testified about being electrocuted, smothered with plastic bags, beaten, stabbed, and burned. His lawyers argued he merely followed orders as a low-ranking soldier. Each count carries a maximum 20-year sentence.
Jammeh ruled Gambia from 1994 until losing the 2016 election. He currently lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea but remains influential back home. A truth commission later documented numerous abuses during his time in power. Sirra Ndow from a victims' group said the verdict proves human rights violators cannot escape justice regardless of location.
