ICC to Deliver Judgment in Mahamat Said War Crimes Case on September 23

Judges will determine whether the former Central African Republic official is guilty of alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Bangui in 2013.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court will deliver its judgment in the case against Mahamat Said Abdel Kani on September 23, 2026, marking the conclusion of a four-year trial involving allegations of torture, persecution, and other serious crimes in the Central African Republic.

Trial Chamber VI will announce whether Said is convicted or acquitted during a public hearing beginning at 11 a.m. local time in The Hague. The hearing will take place in ICC Courtroom I and will be streamed live through the Court’s digital platforms.

For viewers in Arizona, the judgment is scheduled to begin at 2 a.m.

Said is presumed innocent unless the judges determine that prosecutors proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Either party may appeal the decision to the ICC Appeals Chamber.

Said Faces War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Charges

Said is accused of crimes allegedly committed at the Office Central de Répression du Banditisme, commonly known as the OCRB, in Bangui during 2013.

The crimes-against-humanity charges include imprisonment or another severe deprivation of liberty, torture, persecution, and other inhumane acts. He is also charged with the war crimes of torture, cruel treatment, and outrages upon personal dignity.

The allegations arise from violence in the Central African Republic during a period of intense political and sectarian conflict.

The Court’s judges will base their decision solely on applicable law and evidence introduced and examined during the trial. Under Article 74 of the Rome Statute, they must acquit Said unless they are satisfied that the prosecution established his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Trial Included 130 Hearings and 61 Witnesses

Said’s trial opened before Trial Chamber VI on September 26, 2022.

Across 130 hearings, judges heard testimony from 58 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses. Thirty-two victims were granted the right to participate in the proceedings.

Trial Chamber VI consists of Presiding Judge Miatta Maria Samba, Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera, and Judge Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez. Judge Keebong Paek serves as the alternate judge.

The judges are responsible for ensuring the trial remains fair and that the rights of the prosecution, defense, and participating victims are respected.

How to Watch the Judgment

The judgment will be streamed live on the official ICC website in English, French, and Sango.

English- and Sango-language coverage will also be available through the ICC’s YouTube channel. English and French streams will be carried on the Court’s Facebook accounts.

Video, audio, and photographs from the hearing are expected to be made available through the ICC’s official media channels following the proceeding.

Public and Media Attendance

Members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of nongovernmental organizations, and other members of the public may request permission to attend by emailing ICCVisits@icc-cpi.int before September 22.

Journalists seeking accreditation must contact PublicAffairs.Unit@icc-cpi.int by the same deadline.

Attendees must receive confirmation in advance and present a valid passport or government-issued photo identification at the Court’s main entrance at Oude Waalsdorperweg 10 in The Hague. Journalists must also present a valid press credential.

Because seating in the public gallery is limited, people without advance confirmation will not be admitted. Approved attendees are advised to arrive at least 20 minutes before the hearing begins.

The September 23 ruling will determine Said’s guilt or innocence on the current charges. If the Chamber returns a conviction, sentencing would be addressed separately under the Court’s procedures.

Photo: Mahamat Said Abdel Kani during his trial at the International Criminal Court. © ICC-CPI