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THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court convicted former Congolese vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba on Monday of murder, rape and pillage for acts by his militia in the Central African Republic in 2002-03. The judgment was hailed as a landmark in the fight against impunity for sex crimes in conflict.

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Bemba’s unanimous conviction marked the first time the court has convicted a suspect based on his role as a military commander. It also was the court’s first judgment recognizing rape as a war crime and a crime against humanity.

Bemba, 53, is the highest-ranking person yet convicted by the court. He showed no emotion as Presiding Judge Sylvia Steiner read out the long judgment highlighting the horrific crimes by his militia.

He will be sentenced following a separate hearing. His defence lawyers can appeal.

Steiner outlined a litany of rapes by members of Bemba’s militia, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo, after it was deployed to the Central African Republic to help forces loyal to then-President Ange-Feliz Patasse fight rebels led by Francois Bozize.

Bozize’s forces ultimately won and he replaced Patasse as president.