ICC convicts former Central African Republic militia commander of torture

On Wednesday, the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, found former Central African Republic rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani guilty of torture and persecution as crimes against humanity. The 56-year-old defendant stood expressionless throughout the one-hour hearing, presided by Judge Miatta Maria Samba, as he was sentenced to serve up to a life term in prison.

The court's ruling resulted from the alleged atrocities that took place while Kani oversaw a prison in the capital, Bangui, during a conflict between Muslim Seleka rebels, who had taken power from then-President Francois Bozize, and a Christian militia called anti-Balaka. The fighting occurred over a decade ago.

During the trial, numerous witnesses testified about the dire conditions prisoners faced within the facility. They described overcrowded cells with walls marked by bullet holes and blood, and recounted being whipped until they could no longer bear the pain. Other victims were confined in a windowless room beneath the floorboards of Kani's office.