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

By The Associated Press (CP) – 1 hour ago

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.