The International Criminal Court has convicted former Central African Republic rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of crimes against humanity.
The ICC found Said guilty on four counts, including torture and unlawful imprisonment.
The verdict has drawn mixed reactions in the Central African Republic, where some welcomed the decision while victims’ representatives expressed disappointment over charges that were dismissed.
ICC finds Said responsible for torture
The court found that Said oversaw beatings and torture while heading a detention unit in the capital, Bangui, during the conflict in 2013.
According to Africanews and AFP, the ICC detailed abuses committed against prisoners at the Central Office for the Repression of Banditry, known as OCRB.
The court also acknowledged testimony from victims about the lasting effects of the abuse on their lives and families.
However, judges dismissed three other charges because of insufficient evidence.
Mixed reaction in Bangui
Some people in Bangui welcomed the conviction.
However, representatives of victims said they were disappointed that Said was not convicted on all charges.
Landry Makokpala, coordinator of the Association of Victims of Crises in Central Africa, said collecting evidence during the conflict had been extremely difficult.
Meanwhile, civil society representative Fernand Mande Njapou described the verdict as important for victims. He also called for further prosecutions.
The reactions were reported by Africanews and AFP.
Who is Mahamat Said Abdel Kani?
Said was a senior commander in the Seleka rebel group, which took power in the Central African Republic in 2013.
The takeover was followed by conflict involving Seleka and anti-Balaka groups.
Thousands of civilians were killed during the conflict, while allegations of war crimes were made against different sides.
The ICC has investigated violence in the Central African Republic since 2014.
It previously convicted two anti-Balaka leaders. Said is the first Seleka member convicted by the court, according to Africanews and AFP.
The ICC will announce his sentence at a later date.