The International Criminal Court on Wednesday convicted former Central African Republic rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani on four counts of crimes against humanity, including torture and unlawful imprisonment.

The 56-year-old was found responsible for overseeing beatings and other forms of mistreatment while serving as the head of a detention unit during the Central African Republic’s 2013 civil war.

Said was accused of running the Central Office for the Repression of Banditry detention facility in Bangui, where prosecutors alleged that detainees were subjected to torture and severe deprivation.

However, the ICC acquitted him of three separate war crimes charges.

Said, who appeared in court wearing a blue sweatshirt and jeans, reportedly shook his head several times as presiding Judge Miatta Maria Samba read out the details of the offences for which he was convicted.

The court has yet to determine his sentence, which will be announced at a later date.

The case stems from the conflict that erupted in the Central African Republic in 2013 after the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebel coalition seized power.

The takeover triggered widespread violence and retaliatory attacks involving armed groups, plunging the country into a civil war.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper