The confirmation hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Mahamat Said Abdel Kani is scheduled to open on 12 October 2021 at 9:30 (The Hague local time) before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Pre-Trial Chamber II is composed of Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala (Presiding judge), Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua and Judge Tomoko Akane.
The hearing is scheduled from 12 to 14 October 2021 in Courtroom 3. The Prosecutor, the Defence and the Office of Public Counsel for the Victims will make oral submissions before the judges to present their arguments on the merits.
The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
Background:
Mr Said, a national of the Central African Republic (CAR), born on 25 February 1970 in Bria, was allegedly a Seleka commander and, in this capacity, he is suspected of being responsible for the following crimes allegedly committed in Bangui (CAR) in 2013:
crimes against humanity (imprisonment or other severe deprivation of liberty; torture; persecution; enforced disappearance; and other inhumane acts); and,
war crimes (torture and cruel treatment).
Mr Said is suspected of having committed these crimes jointly with others and/or through others or ordered, solicited or induced these crimes or aided, abetted or otherwise assisted in the commission of these crimes; or in any other way contributed to the commission or these crimes.
He was surrendered to the ICC by the authorities of the Central African Republic on 24 January 2021, on account of an ICC warrant of arrest issued under seal on 7 January 2019. His initial appearance before the Court took place on 28 and 29 January 2021.