International Criminal Court judges convicted Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman of multiple crimes against humanity and war crimes and moved the case to sentencing, the International Criminal Court said. The three-judge panel said it will now compile limited, specific material before deciding on the punishment.
As of Monday, parties must ask for permission to present any more evidence by October 20. This includes suggested witness identities, topics, expected examination duration, and any protective measures. The answers to those queries are due on October 27. Written sentence submissions, which must include arguments about aggravating and mitigating elements under Article 78 of the Rome Statute and Rule 145, are due on November 3. The week of November 17–21, there will be a hearing to hear oral arguments and any other evidence. The rule says that after the hearing, the judges would go back to their chambers to think about the case and then pronounce the judgment in open court. The International Criminal Court said that the Chamber warned that it expects any fresh evidence, notably live testimony, to be “very limited” in order to maintain the process fair and quick.
Abd-Al-Rahman, alias “Ali Kushayb,” was handed over to the ICC custody on June 9, 2020, following his surrender in the Central African Republic. His initial appearance was June 15, 2020. He was charged with 31 counts of Darfur atrocities in August 2003 through at least April 2004; all were confirmed July 9, 2021, and referred the case to trial. The April 5, 2022, trial commenced. Prosecutors presented 56 witnesses to testify; victim counsel were allowed to present one witness and cooperating victims in June 2023 and October 2023. The defense presented 18 witnesses. Closing arguments were heard in December 2024, reported the International Criminal Court.
Monday’s conviction is the ICC’s first decision to prosecute war crimes in Darfur since the U.N. Security Council referred the case in 2005. The court says arrest warrants in the Darfur case still pending against other suspects, including former Sudanese officials, reports.
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