ICC convicts former Central African Republic Islamist militia commander of torture

International Criminal Court judges convicted former rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of crimes against humanity on Wednesday. The court found Said guilty of abusing and torturing prisoners at a detention facility in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.

During the hearing in The Hague, presiding Judge Miatta Maria Samba detailed the inhumane conditions detainees faced. Witnesses testified to being held in cramped cells with walls marked by blood and bullet holes, and some reported being whipped until they soiled themselves. Other victims testified they were kept in a windowless room located under the floorboards of Said’s office. The crimes occurred more than a decade ago during fighting between the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels and the mainly Christian anti-Balaka militia.

Marius Olivier Trésor Poussinga, a victim of torture at the detention center, told The Associated Press that the verdict serves as international recognition of the crimes. Central African Republic Justice Minister Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène welcomed the decision, stating that justice will be delivered at every level in the country. Human Rights Watch director for Central Africa Lewis Mudge described the conviction as a milestone.