Abd-Al-Rahman Case

Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman was transferred to the ICC's custody on 9 June 2020, after surrendering himself voluntarily in the Central African Republic. The initial appearance of Mr Abd-Al-Rahman before the ICC took place on 15 June 2020. According to the Prosecution's submission of the Document Containing the Charges, Mr Abd-Al-Rahman is suspected of 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed between August 2003 and at least April 2004 in Darfur, Sudan. The confirmation of charges hearing took place from 24 to 26 May 2021. 

On 9 July 2021, Pre-Trial Chamber II confirmed all the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity brought by the Prosecutor against Ali Muhammad Abd-Al-Rahman and committed him to trial.

The trial in the case opened before Trial Chamber I on 5 April 2022. 56 witnesses appeared in the courtroom during the presentation of the Prosecution’s case and the Prosecution has finished presenting its evidence. On 5 June 2023, the common Legal Representatives of Victims made an opening statement. On 5-7 June and 16-17 October 2023, they were authorised to call one witness and participating victims to provide their views before the Chamber. The Defence called 18 witnesses before the Chamber and has finished the presentation of its evidence. The closing statements in the trial took place on 11-13 December 2024. On 6 October 2025, Trial Chamber I found Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman guilty of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, in Darfur, Sudan, between August 2003 and April 2004.

On 9 December, Trial Chamber I sentenced Mr Abd-Al-Rahman to 20 years of imprisonment. The time spent in detention, from 9 June 2020 onwards, will be deducted from his sentence. Mr Abd-Al-Rahman will remain in the ICC detention centre until the ICC designates a country to serve his sentence.

Next steps: On 6 November 2025, the Defence of Mr Abd-Al-Rahman filed its notice of appeal against the judgment in the case. The Defence and Prosecution filed their notices of appeal against the sentence on 8 and 9 January 2026, respectively. The Appeals Chamber will rule on these appeals in due course. On 9 December 2025, Trial Chamber I issued an order for submissions on reparations, with the relevant timeline and guidance for this process in this case.