Michael Sang: US Court Jails Ex-Soldier for Over 67 Years on Torture Charges
- US authorities explained various reasons why a former soldier, Michael Sang, was sentenced to more than 67 years in prison
- Sang entered the United States years after the grievous assaults, living undetected until federal agents eventually apprehended him
- Officials emphasised the ruling marked a historic first, underscoring America’s commitment to holding perpetrators of global atrocities accountable
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
A US federal court has sentenced a former soldier to 810 months (67 years and six months) in prison after convicting him of conspiracy to commit torture and five counts of torture.
Source: Facebook
Senior Judge Christine M. Arguello of the District of Colorado delivered the sentence, marking the first conviction of a non-US national under federal torture charges.
According to the US Department of Justice, Michael Sang Correa subjected victims to weeks of horrific abuse, including burning their flesh with molten plastic, repeated beatings using various weapons, stabbings, and electrocutions.
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Testimony revealed that some victims were suspended in bags and dropped to the ground.
Who is Michael Sang?
Sang, a Gambian ex-soldier, was an alleged member of the Junglers, a notorious paramilitary death squad that reported to former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh during his 22-year dictatorship.
The Junglers were implicated in widespread human rights violations, including torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings.
After participating in these atrocities, Sang entered the United States in December 2016 on a visa, nearly a decade after the crimes.
He evaded detection until 2019, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested him and placed him in removal proceedings. He was formally charged with torture in 2020.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti hailed the ruling, saying Sang had been held accountable for the brutal violence he inflicted on others.
"The US will not be a haven for individuals who seek to conceal their heinous human rights violations," he added.
When did Michael Sang persecute Gambians?
US Attorney Peter McNeilly for the District of Colorado echoed the sentiment, noting that the case delivered long-awaited justice.
Source: Facebook
“For years, the victims bore unimaginable suffering, uncertain if their torturer would ever face justice. Today’s sentence delivers accountability and reaffirms that the United States stands firmly with all whose human rights have been violated,” he said.
The atrocities were committed in March 2006, shortly after a failed coup attempt in The Gambia.
Authorities said the conviction demonstrates the United States’ commitment to ensuring accountability for human rights violations, regardless of where they were committed.
Did US warn against human rights violations in Kenya?
In other news, the US Department of State highlighted human rights concerns in Kenya, citing cases of disappearances, torture, and media restrictions during the unrest witnessed since the June 2024 demonstrations.
In a report released in August 2025, the US noted unlawful killings, physical violence, and arbitrary arrests during nationwide protests in June and July 2025.
They accused authorities of committing numerous abuses in response to the demonstrations.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
