US State Department: former Somali colonel living in US can’t claim immunity in torture suit

By The Associated Press (CP)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The U.S. Department of State says a former Somalia military colonel who lives in the state of Ohio shouldn’t be allowed to claim immunity from allegations he ordered the torture of a human rights advocate.

A lawsuit has accused the former colonel and Columbus resident, Abdi Aden Magan, of overseeing the detention and torture of a human rights advocate in Somalia in 1988.

The State Department says in a Tuesday letter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office that Magan is a former official of a country with no government recognized by the United States.

The rights advocate and attorney suing Magan also say a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year in a related case shut the door on any immunity claim.

A message was left for Magan’s attorney.

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jk1eVtkGKCfN3x2rwqU70johhcgQ?docId=6258488