The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced that its Trial Chamber I will deliver its sentencing decision in the case of Prosecutor v. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, known as “Ali Kushayb”, on 9 December 2025.
The public hearing is scheduled for 09:30 a.m. (The Hague time) in Courtroom I and will be broadcast live on the Court’s website, the ICC said, adding that practical details on attendance and related media materials will be made available in due course.
The judges may impose a term of imprisonment and may also order a fine or the forfeiture of proceeds, property or assets derived directly or indirectly from the crimes. The maximum prison term is 30 years, though the Court can impose life imprisonment in exceptional circumstances.
The Chamber has already received sentencing submissions from the parties and participants, and held a dedicated sentencing hearing from 17 to 19 November 2025 to hear evidence and arguments on factors relevant to determining the penalty.
Background to the case
Trial Chamber I is composed of Judge Joanna Korner (presiding), Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou and Judge Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor. The trial opened on 5 April 2022, and closing statements were presented between 11 and 13 December 2024.
On 6 October 2025, the Chamber found Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman guilty on 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur, Sudan, between August 2003 and April 2004.
The Defence filed a notice of appeal against the judgment on 6 November 2025. In parallel, a separate phase dealing with reparations for victims will be opened as part of the next stages of the proceedings.
