International Criminal Law · Analysis and Cases

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The Prosecutor v. Mahamat Said Abdel Kani

Case Sheet · ICC

The Prosecutor v. Mahamat Said Abdel Kani

Situation Situation in the Central African Republic II
Status Trial Stage

Context

Mahamat Said Abdel Kani is alleged to have been a senior commander of the Seleka coalition in Bangui, Central African Republic. He is charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in Bangui in 2013. He was surrendered to the ICC on 24 January 2021. The trial opened on 26 September 2022 and the Defence concluded its presentation of evidence on 2 September 2025. Closing statements took place on 25–26 November 2025. Judges have begun their deliberations and will pronounce their verdict in due course.

Pre-Trial

Arrest warrant 7 January 2019 (under seal)
Crimes at arrest warrant Crime against humanity of imprisonment · art. 7(1)(e) RS
Crime against humanity of torture · art. 7(1)(f) RS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 7(1)(h) RS
Crime against humanity of enforced disappearance · art. 7(1)(i) RS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 7(1)(k) RS
War crime of cruel treatment · art. 8(2)(c)(i)-3 RS
War crime of torture · art. 8(2)(c)(i)-4 RS
Transfer to ICC 24 January 2021
Initial appearance 28–29 January 2021
Crimes at document containing charges Crime against humanity of imprisonment · art. 7(1)(e) RS
Crime against humanity of torture · art. 7(1)(f) RS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 7(1)(h) RS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 7(1)(k) RS
War crime of cruel treatment · art. 8(2)(c)(i)-3 RS
War crime of torture · art. 8(2)(c)(i)-4 RS
War crime of outrages upon personal dignity · art. 8(2)(c)(ii) RS
Confirmation of charges hearing 12–14 October 2021
Result of confirmation of charges Charges confirmed · 9 December 2021
Crimes charged Crime against humanity of imprisonment · art. 7(1)(e) RS
Crime against humanity of torture · art. 7(1)(f) RS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 7(1)(h) RS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 7(1)(k) RS
War crime of cruel treatment · art. 8(2)(c)(i)-3 RS
War crime of torture · art. 8(2)(c)(i)-4 RS
War crime of outrages upon personal dignity · art. 8(2)(c)(ii) RS

Trial

Trial opening 26 September 2022
Defence conclusion of evidence 2 September 2025
Closing statements 25–26 November 2025
Verdict Pending · Judges in deliberation

Key Documents

Warrant of arrest Warrant of Arrest for Mahamat Said Abdel Kani (2019)
Document containing charges Document Containing the Charges (2021)
Confirmation of charges decision Decision on Confirmation of Charges (2021)
ICC case page Official ICC page — The Prosecutor v. Mahamat Said Abdel Kani