The Closing Statements in the case The Prosecutor v. Mahamat Said Abdel Kani are scheduled to take place from 25-27 November 2025 at the seat of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or the "the Court") in The Hague, The Netherlands, commencing at 09:30 (The Hague time) in Courtroom 1. 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.
Statements will be made by the Office of the Prosecutor, the Legal Representatives of Victims, and the Defence. These statements may be followed by questions from the Chamber. Subsequent to the Closing Statements, the Judges will commence their deliberations and the Judgment will be pronounced in due course.
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).
Practical information, in particular on how to attend or watch the Closing Statements, will be provided closer to the date of the hearing.
Scheduling Order for the Closing Statements
Background: The trial in this case opened on 26 September 2022. The Prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence on 15 November 2024, the Chamber having heard the testimony of 58 Prosecution witnesses. On 17 March 2025, the Defence called its first witness and concluded its presentation of evidence on 2 September 2025. On 25 September 2025, the Prosecution and Legal Representative of Victims submitted their Closing Briefs, and the Defence's is due to be filed shortly.
For further information on this case, check here.
