ICC convicts former Central African Republic militia commander of torture

Judges at the International Criminal Court have convicted former Seleka rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of persecution and torture as crimes against humanity committed while he ran a prison in Bangui, the capital of the Central African RepublicTHE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Judges at the International Criminal Court on Wednesday convicted former Seleka rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of persecution and torture as crimes against humanity committed while he ran a prison in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.Said, 56, remained expressionless for most of the hourlong hearing as presiding Judge Miatta Maria Samba described the conditions detainees endured at the prison.Popular ReadsDuring the trial, some witnesses described cramped cells with walls marked by “bullet holes and blood” and said they were whipped “until they soiled themselves,” the presiding judge said. Other witnesses testified that they were confined in a windowless room beneath the floorboards of Said’s office.