The International Criminal Court has convicted former Central African Republic rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the torture and mistreatment of detainees during the country’s civil conflict.
Said, 56, was found responsible for abuses committed while he headed a unit at the Central Office for the Repression of Banditry detention centre in the capital, Bangui, as the Central African Republic descended into civil war in 2013. The court found that Said oversaw beatings, torture and other forms of mistreatment at the detention facility.
Said shook his head several times in the courtroom as presiding judge Miatta Maria Samba detailed the crimes for which he was convicted. The ICC will impose his sentence at a later date. He was also acquitted of three war crimes charges. According to the ruling, detainees at the OCRB facility were subjected to severe physical abuse and degrading conditions.
