The Postponed Trial of Michael Sang Correa and the Quest for Accountability for victims of Human Rights Violations

Can justice be served after decades of brutal dictatorship? Join me, Isatou Jammeh, as we investigate the postponed trial of Michael Sang Correa, an alleged member of the Gambian Dead Squad, accused of heinous acts of torture under former President Yaya Jame's regime. This episode unpacks the legal battles, the defense’s motions, and the critical role of due process in ensuring a fair and just trial, even for those accused of grave human rights violations.

Discover the delicate balance between justice for victims and the rights of the accused as we explore recent developments that have pushed the trial date to April 7, 2025. Hear about the pivotal decisions made by the court, the defense's strategies, and the implications for the victims who have waited so long for accountability. Stay engaged with us at the Victims Podcast, as we promise to keep you updated and informed every step of the way.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:12

Hello everyone, welcome to the Victims Podcast, where we continue to shed light on cases of human rights violations and amplify the voices of victims in the fight for justice. I am your host, isidore Jame, and today we'll be discussing a significant development in the case linked to the 22 years rule dictatorship of the former president, yay Jame. This episode is brought to you by the Women in Liberation and Leadership, in partnership with Center for Justice and Accountability, cja. Today's episode focuses on the trial of Michael Sancoria, a former alleged member of the Gambian Dead Squad, commonly known as the Junglers. Accused of committing acts of torture, his trial, originally set for September 16, 2024, has now been postponed. We will delve into the reasons behind this delay, the importance of due process and what this means for victims waiting for justice. Let's get started. So who is Michael Sam Correa and why is his case significant? Sankoria is accused of committing torture and conspiracy to commit torture during Gambia's brutal dictatorship. He is now facing charges in the United States of America, in Denver, colorado. This trial was originally scheduled to take place this September 16th, but recent developments have caused a postponement. Let's break down what happened.

Speaker 1: 1:52

Last week, kor defense lawyer defense team filed two motions in court. They argued that their client needed testimony of two key witnesses who could support his claim of acting under duress when he allegedly committed the act of torture. However, there was a catch the witnesses refused to come to the United States to testify unless they were granted immunity for prosecutions. Unless they were granted immunity for prosecutions, the US government denied immunity, which led the defense team to ask the court to dismiss the case entirely. They argued that by not facilitating the witness's attendance, the government was hindering Correa's ability to defend himself. The court, however, denied this motion, ruling that the charges against Correa should stand, but then not the end of it. The second motion filed by Correa's defense asked the court to delay the trial to allow the legal team to travel to the Gambia and record sworn testimonies from the witnesses there, and on September 11, the judge agreed to give them that opportunity. The court emphasizes the importance of ensuring that Correa could present witnesses from his defense, which is crucial for protecting his due process rights For those unfamiliar, due process rights are enshrined in both US laws and international laws.

Speaker 1: 3:34

These rights ensure that defendants are given a fair opportunity to defend themselves against criminal charge, have their cases thoroughly examined and receive a fair and just trial. Because of this, the trial has been postponed and a new date set for 7 April 2025. Now I know many of you are wondering what does this postponement mean for the victims of the Gambia 22 years rule dictatorship? For many, these delays can feel like justice is slipping farther and farther away from their hands their hands but it is important to understand that ensuring a fair trial process is crucial for justice to truly be served. While this delay may seem frustrating, it seems it ensures that when the trial does happen, it will be just and fair. We will be closely following the case, as well as other ties to the atrocities committed during the Gambia's 22 years rule dictatorship, and keeping you informed every step of the way. Before we wrap up, here is a quick recap. Michael Sankori, accused of torture in the Gambia, was set to stand trial on 16 September 2024. The trial has now been postponed to April 7, 2025, to allow his defense team to gather crucial testimony from witnesses in Gambia. This delay highlights the importance of due process rights for fair trial, even in cases of serious human rights violations.

Speaker 1: 5:32

This is for today's episodes of the Victims Podcast. If you have any thoughts or questions about the case, feel free to reach out to us on our social media platforms. We will sure to keep you updated as this case develops and bring you more insights into the ongoing fight for justice and accountability in the Gambia. Until we come your way, stay informed, stay engaged and also don't forget to follow our social media pages, on, which is the Victims Podcast, on Twitter, facebook on, as well on our website. Stay engaged and let's keep the memory of victims alive in the pursuit of justice. I am your host, aisha Jame, and this is the Victims Podcast. I am your host, aisha Jam, and this is the Victim's Podcast. Thank you always for listening to our episodes. Every time, we bring you new episodes and new series until we come your way another day, another time. You all have a wonderful day ahead ahead.