The International Criminal Court on Monday convicted a leader of the Janjaweed militia of playing a leading role in a campaign of atrocities committed in the Sudanese region of Darfur more than 20 years ago—including ordering mass executions and bludgeoning two prisoners to death with an ax.
It was the first time the court has convicted a suspect of crimes in Darfur. The three-judge panel ruled that the atrocities, including mass murders and rapes, were part of a government plan to snuff out a rebellion there.
Ali Muhammad Ali Abd–Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, will be sentenced at a later date. He faces a maximum life sentence.
He was convicted of crimes for leading Janjaweed militia forces in Darfur that went on a campaign of killing and destruction in 2003-2004.
“It sends a resounding message to perpetrators of atrocities in Sudan, both past and present, that justice will prevail, and that they will be held accountable for inflicting unspeakable suffering on Darfuri civilians, men, women, and children,” Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said in a statement.
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