By Mustapha Jallow
In a significant turn of events on Monday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Hindman moved to dismiss Count Five against Michael Sang Correa in U.S. federal court, citing the inability of key witness to testify.
The prosecution explained that the fourth victim, a crucial figure in the case, was unable to travel to the U.S. due to his military duties as a serving member of the Gambia Armed Forces, currently stationed overseas. After reviewing the prosecutor’s motion, U.S. District Judge Christine M. Arguello granted the dismissal.
The proceedings began promptly at 8:00 AM, with Correa absent from the courtroom. His appearance was later requested by Judge Arguello, and at 8:24 AM, Correa entered the room dressed in a black suit, sporting dreadlocks and reading glasses. He appeared physically fit, sitting at the center of his defense team, which included three men and one woman.
Count Five alleged that Correa, alongside others, engaged in torture under the colour of law, causing severe physical pain to an individual known as Victim 4, and aiding and abetting others in committing the offense. With the dismissal of this charge, the court proceeded with jury selection, and both the prosecution and defense were set to make their opening statements. If time permitted, the prosecution was expected to call its first witness.
Correa, a former member of the notorious “Junglers” paramilitary group, still faces six remaining charges of torture and one charge of conspiracy to commit torture. He is the third individual and the first foreign national to be prosecuted in the U.S. for torture committed abroad.
