After an eleven-day trial, the Chadian justice system delivered its verdict in the case involving former Central African rebel leader Abdoulaye Miskine.
He was sentenced on Wednesday to 15 years in prison, while three of his co-defendants each received ten-year sentences.
The Criminal Chamber of the Ndjamena Court of Appeal also ordered him to pay CFA30 million to
each of the victims’ families.
His three co-defendants were sentenced to ten years in prison. The judges cited mitigating circumstances.
Charged with offenses including murder, torture, unlawful confinement, kidnapping, and rape, General Koumtamadji Martin – alias Abdoulaye Miskine, the former head of the Central African presidential guard – has been held at Klessoum prison since 2019.
The alleged crimes took place between 2002 and 2003 in border areas between Chad and the Central African Republic, specifically around Tissi, Batangafo, and Kabo.
During the hearing on September 4, the prosecution had sought a 30-year prison sentence for Abdoulaye Miskine and ten years for his three co-defendants.
The latter were charged with establishing or participating in an insurrectionist movement, as well as with alleged acts of murder, torture, unlawful confinement, and rape – crimes that reportedly targeted members of Chadian communities.
The defence had challenged the jurisdiction of the Chadian courts in this case and argued that the statute of limitations had expired, calling for the outright acquittal of the accused.
Following the verdict, the defence announced its intention to appeal to the Court of Cassation.
CA/ac/Sf/fss/as/APA