Mahamat Said Abdel Kani found guilty of torture, persecution and unlawful imprisonment linked to 2013 conflict

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has convicted former Central African Republic rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of four counts of crimes against humanity, including torture, persecution and unlawful imprisonment. The 56-year-old was found responsible for abuses committed at a detention facility in Bangui during the country’s 2013 conflict.

Said was a senior commander of the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebel coalition, which seized power in the Central African Republic in 2013 and overthrew then-President François Bozizé. ICC judges found that Said oversaw a detention facility where people suspected of supporting Bozizé were subjected to beatings and other forms of mistreatment.

During the trial, witnesses described severe conditions at the detention centre, including cramped cells and underground rooms. The presiding judge, Miatta Maria Samba, said detainees were subjected to torture and other forms of inhumane treatment. Said had denied the charges against him.

The court acquitted Said of three war crimes charges, finding that the armed conflict had already ended when some of the alleged offences occurred. His sentence will be determined at a separate hearing and could range up to life imprisonment. He is the first former Seleka member to be convicted by the ICC over crimes committed during the Central African Republic conflict.