Said
Title
Said
About Defendant
National of the Central African Republic, former alleged Seleka commander. Arrest warrant: issued under seal on 7 January 2019
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim A.A. Khan QC, at the opening of the confirmation of charges hearing in the case against Mahamat Said Abdel Kani
: 14 October 2021
Mr President, Your Honours, it is a privilege to address you and this Chamber for the first time as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or the "Court").
One must start, of course, with recalling the resilience, the courage, and, indeed, the patience of the survivors, the witnesses, and the victims who have courageously come forward to the Office and have given very difficult accounts on which we rely to support this case and commend it for going to trial.
Source: Office of the Prosecutor
| Contact: OTPNewsDesk@icc-cpi.int
ICC concludes confirmation of charges hearing in Said case
: 14 October 2021
Today, 14 October 2021, the confirmation of charges hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Mahamat Said Abdel Kani concluded before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC), composed of Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala (Presiding judge), Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua and Judge Tomoko Akane.
Said case: Confirmation of charges hearing to open on 12 October 2021 – Practical Information
: 5 October 2021
The confirmation hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Mahamat Said Abdel Kani is scheduled to open on 12 October 2021 at 9:30 (The Hague local time) before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Pre-Trial Chamber II is composed of Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala (Presiding judge), Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua and Judge Tomoko Akane.
Said Case: ICC Appeals Chamber confirms the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision on the approach to admit victims to participate in the proceedings
: 14 September 2021
Today, 14 September 2021, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court") rejected the appeal of Mr Mahamat Said Abdel Kani and confirmed the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber II of 16 April 2021 entitled "Decision establishing the principles applicable to victims' applications for participation".
The warrant of arrest against Mr Mahamat Said Abdel Kani also known as "Mahamat Said Abdel Kain" and "Mahamat Saïd Abdelkani" ("Mr Said") was issued under seal on 7 January 2019 for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Bangui (CAR) in 2013. Mr Said was surrendered to the ICC on 24 January 2021. The initial appearance of Mr Said before the Single Judge of Pre-Trial Chamber II, Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala, took place on 28 and 29 January 2021. The confirmation of charges hearing took place from 12 to 14 October 2021.
On 9 December 2021, Pre-Trial Chamber II partially confirmed the charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes brought by the Prosecutor against Mr Said and committed him to trial. The trial opened on 26 September 2022. The Prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence on 15 November 2024, the Chamber having heard the testimony of 58 prosecution witnesses. On 17 March 2025, the Defence started to present its witnesses. The Defence concluded its presentation of evidence on 2 September 2025.
The closing statements took place from 25 to 26 November 2025. Statements were made by the Office of the Prosecutor, the Legal Representative of Victims, and the Defence.
On 23 September 2026, Trial Chamber VI found Mahamat Said Abdel Kani guilty beyond any reasonable doubt for the crimes against humanity of imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, persecution and other inhumane acts. These crimes were committed at the Office Central de Répression du Banditisme in Bangui (CAR) between 12 April and 30 August 2013. The Chamber did not find Mr Said guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the war crimes of torture, cruel treatment, and outrages upon personal dignity.
Next steps: The Defence and the Prosecution may appeal the verdict within 30 days. The Chamber will decide in due course on Mr Said's sentence. A reparations process will also begin, for the victims of the crimes for which Mr Said was convicted.
Warrant of Arrest for Mahamat Said Abdel
Decision on the confirmation of charges against Mahamat Said Abdel Kani
Non-authoritative summary of the verdict read in Court
Questions and Answers on the verdict: English; Français; Sango