By Sanna Camara

The first motion filed by Correa’s lawyers Matthew Belcher, Jared Westbroek, and Boston Stanton,
asking the judge to dismiss the case against him because the US government was not facilitating the attendance of his witnesses to travel to come testify was denied on Wednesday afternoon this week.

This first motion explained that he intended to present testimony from Momodou Hydara and Alieu Jeng at the trial. Correa claims that this testimony would support his defence that he was coerced to, and under duress, when he allegedly assaulted the individuals listed in the indictment.

However, according to Correa, Hydara and Jeng refused to travel to the United States unless the United States government provided them with immunity from prosecution.

Lawyers for Michael Correa have also succeeded in securing a motion from the Denver District Court to delay the trial and enable them travel to Gambia to conduct deposition for two defence witnesses, whose condition for travel to testify on condition of immunity from prosecution, was declined by the US.

Depositions are a form of video recorded testimony that can be presented in exceptional circumstances where a witness can not travel to court.

“While these delays are difficult for victims who have waited for decades for some measure of justice, it is important that the judge gives Correa an opportunity to present his defence. To be clear, this only delays the trial, while Correa’s attorneys travel to The Gambia to take these depositions. The trial will be rescheduled,” statement from victims’ lawyers said in a statement early yesterday morning.

Michael Correa, 41, was an alleged member of the notorious death squad, a paramilitary division of the presidential guard that reported directly to Jammeh.

Many of these crimes carried out by the Junglers were highlighted by the private independent press and human rights organisations during the regime.

Reacting to this development, Sirra Ndow, chairperson of the Association of Victim Led Organisations in The Gambia, yesterday told The Point, “We are sharing with the victims as we speak but the initial reaction is of course disappointment over the delay after waiting so long but still committed to seeking justice.”