Today, 22 July 2026, Trial Chamber VI of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court") scheduled the delivery of its judgment on conviction or acquittal in the case of The Prosecutor v. Mahamat Said Abdel Kani for 23 September 2026 at 11:00 (The Hague local time).
As a former alleged Seleka commander, Mr Said is accused of crimes against humanity (imprisonment or other severe deprivation of liberty; torture; persecution and other inhumane acts) and war crimes (torture; cruel treatment and outrages upon personal dignity) allegedly committed at the Office Central de Répression du Banditisme ('OCRB') in Bangui (Central African Republic) in 2013.
The judgment will be read out in public in ICC Courtroom I and the hearing will be transmitted live through the ICC website. Practical information, in particular on how to attend or watch the delivery, will be provided closer to the date of the hearing.
Pursuant to article 74 of the Rome Statute, the judges will either acquit or convict the accused. The accused before the ICC is presumed innocent. While the Prosecution must prove the guilt of the accused, the Trial Chamber will convict the accused only if it is satisfied that the charges have been proven beyond reasonable doubt. The Chamber bases its decision only on the applicable law and on evidence submitted and discussed before it at the trial. In response to the verdict, the parties will be able to appeal the decision before the ICC's Appeals Chamber.
Order scheduling the delivery of the trial judgment
Background: The trial in this case opened on 26 September 2022. The Prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence on 15 November 2024. On 17 March 2025, the Defence called its first witness and concluded its presentation of evidence on 2 September 2025. The Prosecution, Legal Representative of Victims and Defence submitted their Closing Briefs. The trial's Closing Statements took place from 25-27 November 2025. Over the course of 130 trial hearings, the Chamber heard 58 witnesses called by the Prosecution and 3 witnesses called by the Defence. 32 victims represented by their legal counsel Sarah Pellet, have been granted the right to participate in the proceedings. Throughout the trial, the Judges ensured that the rights guaranteed by the Rome Statute to each of the parties were respected. Trial Chamber VI composed of Judge Miatta Maria Samba (Presiding Judge), Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera, Judge Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez and Judge Keebong Paek (Alternate Judge).
For further information on this case, check here.
