The ICC convicts Mahamat Said Abdel Kani over crimes against humanity linked to the Central African Republic’s 2013 conflict.
Judges at the International Criminal Court found the former Seleka militia leader guilty on four counts of crimes against humanity.
The charges included torture and persecution involving detainees held in Bangui. The court delivered its judgment in The Hague on Wednesday, September 23.
ICC Convicts Mahamat Said After Bangui Detention Abuse
The case focused on a detention facility in Bangui known as the Central Office for the Repression of Banditry.
Prosecutors accused Said of overseeing the detention and abuse of people suspected of supporting then-President François Bozizé.
During the trial, witnesses described severe conditions inside the facility. They reported cramped cells, beatings and other forms of mistreatment.
Judge Miatta Maria Samba said detainees endured torture and inhumane treatment at the facility.
Former Seleka Commander Denied the Charges
Said pleaded not guilty when proceedings began.
He maintained his denial of the allegations throughout the case. However, the judges found him guilty of four crimes against humanity.
The court dismissed several war crimes charges. Judges concluded that the armed conflict had already ended when some of the alleged crimes occurred.
Said showed little reaction as the verdict was read in court.
Victims Welcome ICC Conviction
The verdict drew a response from victims and officials in the Central African Republic.
Marius Olivier Trésor Poussinga, who said he was tortured at the detention center, described the ruling as international recognition of his suffering.
The Central African Republic’s justice minister, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène, also welcomed the decision.
Human Rights Watch described the conviction as an important development in efforts to address impunity. However, the organization also pointed to continuing justice challenges in the country.
Sentence Will Be Decided Later
The ICC convicts Mahamat Said but has not yet determined his sentence.
The court will hold a separate sentencing hearing. Under the ICC’s rules, prison terms can reach 30 years, while life imprisonment can apply in exceptional circumstances.
Said is the first Seleka member convicted by the ICC. The court has previously convicted two anti-Balaka leaders in cases connected to the Central African Republic.
Central African Republic Conflict Background
Seleka rebels seized power in the Central African Republic in 2013 and removed then-President François Bozizé.
The conflict later involved anti-Balaka militias, which were largely Christian-dominated.
The ICC has investigated crimes linked to the Central African Republic for more than a decade.
Meanwhile, the country has also established the Special Criminal Court to prosecute serious crimes committed during periods of violence.
ICC Case Marks Another Step for Victims
The conviction closes an important chapter in the ICC’s proceedings involving Said.
However, the legal process is not yet complete. His sentence will be decided at a later hearing.
For victims of the Bangui detention abuses, the judgment provides a formal finding of criminal responsibility for the crimes covered by the conviction.
