ICC Convicts CAR Militia Leader for Torture
Mahamat Said Abdel Kani found guilty of crimes against humanity for running a detention site in Bangui during the 2013 conflict.
Key points
- Mahamat Said Abdel Kani was convicted of torture and other crimes against humanity by the ICC.
- He oversaw a detention facility in Bangui where detainees were whipped and bound during the 2013 war.
- This is the first conviction for a Seleka militia member, following earlier rulings against anti-Balaka leaders.
The International Criminal Court convicted a former Central African Republic militia commander of crimes against humanity. Judges in The Hague ruled on Wednesday that Mahamat Said Abdel Kani oversaw torture at a detention facility in Bangui.
The verdict covers his role in the 2013 civil war, where supporters of the former president were targeted. According to Al Jazeera, this marks the first time a member of the Seleka coalition has been found guilty by the court.
Evidence of severe mistreatment
Judge Miatta Maria Samba described the conditions at the detention center. Detainees were whipped and waterboarded. They were also bound using a method that ties limbs together behind the back.
Some prisoners were held underground without access to bathrooms. The judge noted that floors were covered in waste. A victim told the court that the mistreatment destroyed his life.
Context of the conflict
Said was a senior figure in the Seleka coalition. This group ousted President Francois Bozize in 2013. The conflict killed thousands before French troops helped secure the country in 2014.
The ICC has investigated violence in the region since 2014. It has already convicted two anti-Balaka leaders. One former minister received a 12-year sentence. Another former MP received 15 years.
Defendant reaction and next steps
Said denied all charges during the proceedings. He appeared in court wearing jeans and a blue sweatshirt. He shook his head when the verdict was read, appearing unbothered.
A separate hearing will determine his sentence. The judges acquitted him of three war crimes charges. They ruled the armed conflict had ended before some alleged crimes occurred.
