Judges at the International Criminal Court will issue a sentence for Ali Mohammed Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, known as “Ali Kushayb,” next 17 November following his conviction on all 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur in the early 2000s, the ICC prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday.
Julian Nichols, a lead trial lawyer, told a virtual briefing with Sudanese media that, given the gravity of the crimes, a life sentence is expected. He stressed that Kushayb’s conviction does not automatically extend to other suspects such as Ahmed Haroun, who would have to appear before the court to be tried.
Nichols added that Kushayb will not serve his sentence in the Netherlands, where the court is based, but in a state party to the Rome Statute to be designated by the ICC.
Defense lawyer Cyril Luchi said his client can appeal the judgment once it is delivered. He said the defense does not deny atrocities occurred in Darfur but maintains the defendant is not the individual named in the arrest warrants as “Ali Kushayb.” Luchi noted that his client surrendered voluntarily after learning local authorities were seeking someone with the same name, telling the court at his first appearance that he came “in search of justice.”
Victims’ legal representative Nathalie Von said more than 1,500 victims directly or indirectly linked to the case are awaiting reparations. She added that victims she met in refugee camps in Chad expressed relief at the conviction after a long wait for justice.
