ICC convicts Ali Kushayb of Darfur war crimes

The International Criminal Court in The Hague on Monday convicted Ali Muhammad Ali Abd Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in a campaign of killings, rapes and other atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region more than two decades ago. Judges found Abd Al-Rahman guilty of crimes including murder, torture, assault, persecution and forcible transfer for attacks carried out between August 2003 and March 2004. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner said the chamber was convinced "beyond reasonable doubt" of the accused's guilt on the charges. The court’s unanimous ruling draws on testimony from 56 prosecution witnesses who described large-scale village raids, gang rapes, summary executions and the use of violence to terrorize and displace civilians. In one recounted incident, Abd Al-Rahman allegedly loaded about 50 civilians onto trucks, beat some with axes, forced them to lie on the ground and ordered their execution. Judges also found he personally participated in beatings and killings in several instances.

Prosecutors said the attacks were part of a campaign by...