ICC convicts ex-Central Africa rebel leader for crimes against humanity

The International Criminal Court (ICC) handed down a verdict on Wednesday, convicting former Central African Republic rebel leader Mahamat Said Abdel Kani for four counts of crimes against humanity, including torture and unlawful imprisonment. Kani, who is 56 years old, oversaw a brutal prison unit during the country's civil war in 2013.

In the courtroom, Kani displayed his disapproval through shaking his head multiple times as presiding judge Miatta Maria Samba outlined the atrocities committed under his command. The ICC has not yet determined the sentence for these crimes. Kani was acquitted of three counts of war crimes. He was in charge of the Central Office for the Repression of Banditry (OCRB) detention center in the capital, Bangui, where prisoners allegedly endured severe torture and deprivation.