The crimes were committed during the country's civil war in 2013–2014, and were directed against suspected Muslim rebels.
Former sports minister Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona was a high-ranking leader of mainly Christian militia groups during the civil war. He is sentenced to twelve years in prison for 28 cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Alfred Yekatom, a former member of parliament, served as commander on the ground for the Christian militia. He is sentenced to 15 years in prison for 20 war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder and torture.
The court described how Yekatom's men tortured a suspect by cutting off his fingers, toes and an ear. Others were killed and mutilated.
Both men were extradited to the court in The Hague in 2018. They have denied the crimes.
The militia, named anti-balaka, was founded as a self-defense group after mainly Muslim Séléka rebels stormed the capital Bangui in 2013 and overthrew the Christian president François Bozizé.
The coup resulted in a series of revenge attacks between Christian and Muslim groups. Thousands were killed and a fifth of the country's nearly five million inhabitants were forced to flee.
