The International Criminal Court on Monday convicted a leader of the feared Janjaweed militia of playing a leading role in a campaign of atrocities committed in the Sudanese region of Darfur more than 20 years ago.

It was the first time the court has convicted a suspect of crimes in Darfur. The three-judge panel ruled that the atrocities, including mass murders and rapes, were part of a government plan to violently snuff out a rebellion in the western region of Sudan.

Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, wearing a suit and tie and listening through a headset, showed no emotion as presiding Judge Joanna Korner read out 27 guilty verdicts.

He will be sentenced at a later date. He faces a maximum life sentence.

He was convicted of crimes for leading Janjaweed militia

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