Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The trial of Michael Sang Correa, a former member of the notorious “Junglers” death squad, which operated under the direction of ex-Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, begins today, April 7, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Senior Judge Christine M. Arguello appointed by former U.S. president G.W. Bush in 2008 is presiding over the ten-day trial, which centers on allegations of torture and conspiracy.

The “Junglers,” also called “the Patrol team” or the “Black-Black,” were a paramilitary group accused of carrying out extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture during Jammeh’s 22-year rule. The group’s actions have been a focal point of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) in The Gambia, which documented widespread human rights abuses.

Correa’s case marks a significant step in seeking justice for these alleged atrocities, as it is being prosecuted in the United States under laws that allow for the prosecution of individuals accused of torture, regardless of where the acts occurred.

Trial Procedures and Preparations

The trial commenced with jury selection at 8:30 AM, following procedural outlines established during a pre-trial conference on March 20, 2025. Key procedures include:

Each side is allocated 30 minutes to present their opening arguments to the jury panel before the voir dire process.

Each party is allotted 15 minutes for the voir dire, the process of questioning potential jurors.

The case will be tried before a jury of twelve, with one alternate juror.

Jurors are permitted to take notes during the proceedings.

Witnesses will be sequestered, except for advisory witnesses, to prevent their testimony from being influenced by others.

Both parties were required to submit all trial exhibits to the court on thumb drives by March 31, 2025.

The court granted the defense’s motion on March 21, 2025, to issue subpoenas in forma pauperis, allowing for the issuance of subpoenas without fees due to the defendant’s financial constraints.

The defense responded on March 27, 2025, to the government’s objection regarding jury instructions related to classified information. A joint notice addressing stipulations and jury instructions was filed on March 28, 2025.

The prosecution filed their trial brief on April 4, 2025, indicating both sides are finalizing preparations.

Background of the Case

Correa’s legal troubles began in September 2019 when he was arrested in the United States for overstaying his visa. He was subsequently detained in a U.S. prison. In June 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice formally charged him with torture and conspiracy to commit torture against at least six individuals after a coalition of Correa’s victims and human rights organizations called on the U.S. to investigate claims that Correa committed torture. This led to his indictment in 2020.

The indictment details harrowing allegations that Correa and other members of the “Junglers” subjected victims to brutal treatment, including beatings, suffocation with plastic bags, and electric shocks during interrogations, causing severe physical and psychological trauma.

This trial represents a crucial step in the pursuit of justice for victims of human rights abuses in The Gambia and underscores the international community’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable. The outcome of this trial will be closely watched by human rights organizations and Gambians seeking closure for the atrocities committed during the Jammeh era.