Universal Jurisdiction
Universal jurisdiction is a legal principle that allows states to prosecute an individual accused of international crimes, regardless of where the alleged crime took place or the accused’s or victim’s nationality.
Following Bai Lowe’s conviction in November 2023, Ousman Sonko was prosecuted in May 2024. More recently, Michael Correa was found guilty of torturing his victims by a United States Court on 15th April 2025.
Michael Correa USA Trial - Updates
📹 Jury Finds Ex-Jungler Michael Sang Correa Guilty of Torture in Landmark U.S. Trial
A 12-member jury has found alleged former Jungler Michael Sang Correa guilty of conspiracy to torture and of torturing five individuals. The verdict was delivered today, 15th April 2025, at a courthouse in Denver, Colorado. Our reporter spoke with three of Correa’s victims outside the courthouse just moments after the verdict was read.
This landmark case marks the first time a non-U.S. citizen has been prosecuted in the United States for acts of torture committed outside the country. The trial began on 7th April 2025, and concluded today. Sentencing is expected later this year, with Judge Arguello’s clerk proposing dates between late July and early August.
The jury reached their decision around 2 p.m., unanimously finding that Michael Sang Correa was responsible for torturing five victims—most of whom were security officials. These included Pharing Sanyang, former Commander of the State Guard; Yaya Darboe, then a Captain at the Gambia Armed Forces; Tamsirr Jasseh, a former Director General of Immigration; and the late Pierre Mendy of the Gambia Armed Forces. The only civilian victim was Demba Dem, a former parliamentarian, targeted during a political crackdown.
Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Correa’s defense, which claimed he acted under duress and was coerced, was ultimately rejected by the jury.
Who is Former Jungler Michael Correa Set to Face Trial in the US?
The Italian Mafia who Trained the Junglers: Inside the Mentality of the Junglers
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Ousman Sonko Switzerland Trial
Ousman Sonko was the former Interior Minister and close accomplish of former President Yahya Jammeh. He is the highest profile conviction of a former government official under the Universal Jurisdiction principles. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a court in Switzerland on 15th May 2024.
Bai Lowe Germany Trial
Former Jungler Driver, Bai Lowe was the first individual convicted for crimes against humanity under the principles of Universal Jurisdiction in Germany Celle on 30th November 2024 for crimes committed in The Gambia.
The Junglers
The Italian Mafia who Trained the Junglers: Inside the Mentality of the Junglers
The United States Department of Justice issued a statement on the conviction of alleged former Jungler Michael Sang Correa for torturing five of his victims on 15th April 2025. More in the presser.