ICC judges unseal an arrest warrant for an alleged Central African Republic rebel

Judges astatine nan International Criminal Court person unsealed an apprehension warrant for an alleged rebel from nan Central African Republic accused of warfare crimes and crimes against humanity much than a decade ago

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Judges astatine nan International Criminal Court connected Thursday unsealed an apprehension warrant for an alleged rebel from nan Central African Republic accused of warfare crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, extermination, rape and persecution much than a decade ago.

According to his warrant, which was primitively issued nether seal successful 2018, Edmond Beina commanded a group of astir 100-400 fighters responsible for murdering Muslims successful early 2014 successful a colony successful nan westbound of nan impoverished nation.

Prosecutors opportunity Beina's group was portion of nan anti-Balaka, a chiefly Christian militia that fought against nan predominantly Muslim Seleka rebel unit successful 2013-2014. The fighting near thousands dormant and displaced hundreds of thousands.

The Central African Republic has been plagued by violence since 2013, erstwhile Seleka rebels forced then-President Francois Bozize from office. Anti-Balaka militias fought back, besides targeting civilians and sending astir of nan Muslim residents of nan capital, Bangui, fleeing successful fear.

ICC judges said successful a written ruling that they unsealed nan warrant for Beina's apprehension aft authorities successful nan Central African Republic challenged nan admissibility of nan case. The tribunal did not uncover specifications of nan challenge.

Prosecutors allege that Beina was progressive successful crimes successful nan colony of Guen successful nan country’s westbound from February to April, 2014, including murdering Muslim civilians. He besides commanded different fighters who carried retired crimes, his warrant says.

In 1 incident, prosecutors allege that Beina and his fighters stormed nan compound of a Muslim organization leader successful Guen, wherever astir 300 displaced people, including women and children were sheltering.

“Beina separated nan civilians into groups and, astatine gunpoint, ordered nan men and boys to dishonesty down. Then, Beina summarily executed respective Muslim men and boys pinch his Kalashnikov rifle, emptying 1 mag and another,” nan warrant said.

“Beina ordered his men to decorativeness disconnected immoderate survivors,” it added, saying that astatine slightest 42 Muslim men and boys were killed successful nan attack.

Three other alleged rebels from Central African Republic are presently connected trial astatine nan tribunal for their alleged roles successful nan sectarian unit successful nan country.