A former member of Gambia’s military has been convicted in Denver on charges of torturing individuals suspected of participating in a failed coup against the West African nation’s longtime dictator nearly two decades ago. Michael Sang Correa was found guilty by a federal jury of torturing five men believed to oppose Yahya Jammeh following an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow him in 2006. The case, heard in a Denver court, also involved charges of conspiracy to commit torture while Correa served in the “Junglers” military unit, which reported directly to Jammeh. This trial marks the latest international legal action connected to Jammeh’s regime.
Correa arrived in the United States in 2016 to work as a bodyguard for Jammeh and eventually settled in Denver, taking up work as a day laborer. Following Jammeh’s ousting in 2017, Correa overstayed his visa. In 2020, he was indicted under a seldom-used U.S. law that permits the trial of individuals in the American judicial system for acts of torture committed abroad. Survivors from Gambia, Europe, and various parts of the U.S. testified during the trial, recounting experiences of torture that included electrocution, being hung upside down and beaten, and having plastic bags placed over their heads. Photographs presented in court displayed victims with scars inflicted by bayonets, burning cigarettes, and ropes. The victims identified scars and detailed their origins.
The defense contended that Correa, a low-ranking private, risked facing torture and death if he disobeyed orders, arguing that he had no real choice in participating in the acts, nor in joining the conspiracy. While acknowledging the fear under which the Junglers operated, prosecutors pointed out that some members refused to partake in torture.
In 2021, a truth commission in Gambia recommended that those responsible for crimes during Jammeh’s regime face prosecution. Other countries have also pursued legal action against individuals linked to his rule. In a notable case last year, Jammeh’s former interior minister received a 20-year sentence from a Swiss court for crimes against humanity. Earlier this year, a German court convicted another former Jungler for murder and crimes against humanity related to the assassination of government critics in Gambia.
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The conviction of Michael Sang Correa represents a significant moment in the global pursuit of justice for victims of human rights abuses. For Gambians and others who have suffered under oppressive regimes, this verdict highlights the potential for international legal systems to hold individuals accountable, even years after the crimes occurred. It underscores the message that those responsible for atrocities cannot escape justice by crossing borders.
This case may encourage other survivors of human rights violations to seek justice, knowing that there are legal avenues available, even internationally. It also serves as a cautionary tale for individuals involved in similar acts worldwide, reinforcing the principle that they can be prosecuted regardless of where they try to find refuge. As legal systems continue to collaborate across borders, communities and nations may see a strengthened commitment to addressing human rights abuses and supporting the victims seeking redress.