The International Criminal Court has recently made a significant ruling, convicting an al Qaeda-linked leader of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Timbuktu, northern Mali. The individual in question, Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, held a senior position within the Islamic Police and was recruited by al Qaeda leaders, according to a statement released by the ICC.
The ICC highlighted the crucial role played by the Islamic Police in the implementation of a system that led to the commission of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Timbuktu between April 2012 and May 2013, in collaboration with the Islamist group Ansar Dine.
Al Hassan was found guilty by a majority decision of directly committing, contributing to, or aiding and abetting crimes against humanity such as torture, as well as war crimes including torture and outrages upon personal dignity. However, he was acquitted of charges related to rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, and attacking protected objects due to insufficient evidence linking him to these crimes.
The trial proceedings involved a total of 2,196 victims, with 195 hearings conducted, 7,896 documents recorded, and 13,275 pieces of evidence submitted, as reported by the ICC. Al Hassan will remain in custody until his sentencing in a separate hearing, with a 30-day window for parties to appeal the conviction.
The rise of Islamic extremists in Mali following a 2012 coup led to a period of instability, during which groups with ties to al Qaeda took advantage of the situation. They seized control of Timbuktu and other areas in the north, imposing strict laws that included bans on music, smoking, drinking, and watching sports on television. Additionally, they carried out the destruction of historic tombs and shrines, along with public executions, amputations, floggings, and other brutal punishments, as documented by the United Nations at the time.
