Witness in US trial says Ethiopian immigrant tortured prison inmates in Ethiopia in 1970s
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A trial witness has identified an Ethiopian immigrant living in Denver as a prison guard who tortured and killed inmates in Ethiopia in the 1970s.
The testimony came in federal court Thursday in the trial of Kefelgn Alemu Worku (kah-FEH'-lun ah-LEE'-moo WER'-koo). He's charged with immigration violations and identity theft.
Prosecutors say he lied on immigration forms when he denied committing political persecution.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison. He hasn't been charged in Denver with any crimes related to prison abuse.
Worku has acknowledged using a false name to gain admission to the U.S. but denies the torture allegations.
The Denver Post reports (http://tinyurl.com/m5bxre9 ) the witness claims she was an inmate at the prison and saw Worku shoot and kill two other inmates, teenage boys.