Denver, Colo. — In a historic verdict, Michael Sang Correa, a 46-year-old Gambian national residing in Colorado, was convicted Tuesday for torture activities dating back to 2006, targeting individuals suspected of opposing The Gambia’s then-president. This landmark case marks the first time a non-U.S. citizen has been convicted for torture in a federal district court.
At the center of the charges were allegations that Correa, as part of The Gambia’s notorious “Junglers” military unit, committed severe human rights abuses. These abuses occurred in the wake of a failed coup aimed at overthrowing then-President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia.
The trial revealed that Correa engaged in the brutal beating, burning, stabbing, and electrocuting of five individuals. Victims provided harrowing testimony about their suffering, which played a crucial role in securing the verdict.
Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell for the District of Colorado characterized Correa’s actions as “abhorrent,” emphasizing that the conviction demonstrates the reach of U.S. law in holding international human rights violators accountable, regardless of where the crimes occurred.
Correa was apprehended in Denver, where he has lived since 2016 after obtaining a U.S. visa in 2015. His arrest came in 2019, and he faced charges of torture in 2020, leading to this historic trial.
The prosecution painted a stark picture of Correa’s attempts to avoid answering for his alleged crimes by relocating to the United States. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti placed significant emphasis on the resilience of the U.S. judicial system in addressing such severe crimes committed abroad.
For his crimes, Correa could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years imprisonment for each of the five counts of torture and for conspiracy to commit torture. He is currently being held in U.S. custody awaiting sentencing, ensuring that he does not pose a danger to the community or risk fleeing the jurisdiction.
“This verdict is a testament to our commitment to ensuring the United States does not become a refuge for those who commit atrocities elsewhere,” Galeotti pointed out during a press statement following the conviction. He stressed the broader implications for international human rights enforcement, noting, “You cannot hide here. The United States will prosecute former perpetrators of serious offenses seeking shelter on American soil.”
Overall, the case underscores a significant effort by U.S. authorities to confront international human rights abuses. This approach signals a stern warning to potential violators who might consider escaping their past by blending into the social fabric of another nation.
The commitment of the U.S. to combating such grave violations through its jurisdiction highlights an ongoing effort to extend the international reach of its legal principles, particularly concerning human rights and the rule of law.
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