Central African Republic: ICC Hears Case Against Mahamat Said Abdel Kani for War Crimes

Edited By: Tendai Zola

The International Criminal Court (ICC) began hearing the prosecution’s closing arguments on Tuesday in the trial of Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, a suspected commander of a rebel group in the Central African Republic (CAR). He is charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes for his alleged involvement in the violence that shook the country in 2013.

According to ICC prosecutors, the 50-year-old oversaw acts of torture, persecution and enforced disappearances in several detention facilities in Bangui, the capital. Mahamat Said Abdel Kani has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His defense team argues that the prosecution has built “a biased and oversimplified narrative that is far removed from the reality of what happened in the Central African Republic at the time.” Twelve years ago, the country descended into conflict as the mainly Muslim Seleka rebels, who had ousted President François Bozizé, clashed with the largely Christian anti-balaka militia.

If convicted, Mahamat Said Abdel Kani faces a possible life sentence. His lawyers are expected to present their closing arguments later this week.