ICC convicts Central African militia leader
Judges at the International Criminal Court on Wednesday convicted a former Seleka militia leader from the Central African Republic of crimes against humanity including torture. Prosecutors accused Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of running a prison where suspected supporters of then-President Francois Bozize were beaten and tortured. He denied all charges. Presiding judge Miatta Maria Samba … The post…
On Wednesday, the International Criminal Court pronounced a former leader of the Central African Republic's Seleka militia guilty of crimes against humanity. Judges found Mahamat Said Abdel Kani responsible for overseeing torture and persecution of prisoners, specifically those suspected of supporting the then-President, Francois Bozize.
Despite his denial of all charges, Said remained stoic as the verdict was read by presiding judge Miatta Maria Samba. The court dismissed several war crimes charges, citing that the alleged crimes occurred after the end of the armed conflict. Said, dressed in casual attire, offered no reaction as the decision was announced. A subsequent hearing will determine his sentence.
The Seleka, a predominantly Muslim rebel group, took control of the country in 2013, sparking violence that led to the rise of opposing Christian militias. The ICC has been investigating the violence in the Central African Republic since 2014, convicting two "anti-Balaka" leaders prior to Kani's conviction.
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