International Criminal Court investigation in Mali

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Situation in the Republic of Mali
Northern Mali conflict
CrimesWar crimes:
· Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion
· Destruction of cultural world heritage in the Malian city of Timbuktu
Status of suspects
Ahmad al-Faqi al-MahdiServed a 7 year sentence
al-Hassan Ag Abdoul AzizIn custody; trial ongoing

The International Criminal Court investigation in Mali or the Situation in the Republic of Mali is an ongoing investigation by the

Northern Mali conflict since January 2012.[1] The investigation was requested by the government of Mali in July 2012.[2][1][3][4] As the first person who pleaded guilty to a charge of the ICC, al-Mahdi made a statement expressing remorse and advising others not to commit similar acts.[5]

On 27 September 2016, al-Mahdi was sentenced to nine years in prison for the destruction of cultural world heritage in the Malian city of Timbuktu. At least nine mausoleums and one mosque were destroyed.[6]

Background

See also:
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present)

Several human rights organisations reported on human rights abuses during the Northern Mali conflict that started in early 2012. The

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).[10] Amnesty International published a detailed report in May 2012,[11] describing the human rights situation as "Mali's worst human rights situation in 50 years".[12]

Referral

On 13 July 2012, the government of Mali, represented by its Minister of Justice Malick Coulibaly, made a formal request to the ICC to investigate war crimes and

crimes against humanity that took place in Mali since January 2012.[2][3][4]

Investigation

The ICC's Office of the Prosecutor gathered evidence, and on 16 January 2013, the Court formally started a full investigation led by

executions at Aguelhok of about 100 Malian army soldiers on 24 January 2012,[14] and some attributed to the Malian army, such as the Diabaly September 2012 massacre of 16 unarmed preachers.[15]

Cases

Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi

Main article: Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi

On 18 September 2015, the court issued an arrest warrant for Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, who was accused of the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, specifically the mausoleums and mosques located in Timbuktu. They were destroyed by members of Ansar Dine and other Islamist groups in 2012.

On 26 September 2015, he was sent from Niger to the court's detention center in The Hague.[16] On 27 September 2016, al-Mahdi was sentenced to nine years in prison for the destruction of cultural world heritage in the Malian city of Timbuktu.[6]

Al Hassan

Main article: al-Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz

Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, born on 19 September 1977, was allegedly a member of Ansar Dine and the de facto chief of the Islamic Police. He has also been allegedly involved in the work of the Islamic court in Timbuktu and in executing its decisions.[17]

Al Hassan is currently being charged for crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Timbuktu, Mali, for allegedly participating in a widespread and systematic attack by armed groups against the civilian population of Timbuktu and its region, between 1 April 2012 and 28 January 2013.[18] He is also being charged for war crimes allegedly committed in Timbuktu, Mali, between April 2012 and January 2013.[19]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "ICC Prosecutor opens investigation into war crimes in Mali: "The legal requirements have been met. We will investigate"". International Criminal Court. 2013-01-16. Archived from the original on 2013-01-20. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  2. ^ a b Coulibaly, Malick (2012-07-13). "Renvoi de la situation au Mali" (PDF) (in French). Ministry of Justice of Mali. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-22. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  3. ^ a b "FIDH and AMDH welcome the opening of an ICC investigation in Mali". International Federation for Human Rights. 2013-02-13. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
  4. ^ a b "Mali: ICC investigation of conflict crimes a key step towards justice". Amnesty International. 2013-01-16. Archived from the original on 2013-03-03. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
  5. ^ Calamur, Krishnadev (2016-08-22). "Repenting for the Cultural Destruction of Timbuktu". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2016-08-22.
  6. ^ a b Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi: The vandal of Timbuktu, BBC News (September 27, 2016).
  7. ^ "Association Malienne des Droits de l'Homme (AMDH)". International Federation for Human Rights. 2013-01-21. Archived from the original on 2013-01-19. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  8. ^ "War Crimes in North Mali" (PDF). International Federation for Human Rights. 2012-12-17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-05-22. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  9. ^ "War Crimes in North Mali". International Federation for Human Rights. 2012-12-20. Archived from the original on 2013-01-19. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  10. ^ "Mali: Islamists Should Free Child Soldiers - 'Sending our Innocents to be Slaughtered,' Witness Says". Human Rights Watch. 2013-01-15. Archived from the original on 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  11. PDF). Amnesty International
    . 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  12. ^ "Mali's worst human rights situation in 50 years". Amnesty International. 2012-05-16. Archived from the original on 2013-03-07. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  13. ^ "Situation in Mali - Article 53(1) Report" (PDF). International Criminal Court. 2013-01-16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-16. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  14. ^ "Tuareg rebels behind January killings, confirms Mali army". Radio France International. 13 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  15. ^ Massacre of preachers in Mali sign of broken army, Associated Press, 22 September 2012, archived from the original on 25 January 2013, retrieved 14 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Timbuktu mausoleum destruction suspect sent to ICC". BBC News. 2015-09-26. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
  17. ^ "Situation in the Republic of Mali - Questions and Answers" (PDF). ICC Official Website. ICC. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  18. ^ "Situation in the Republic of Mali - Questions and Answers" (PDF). ICC Official Website. ICC. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  19. ^ "Situation in the Republic of Mali - Questions and Answers" (PDF). ICC Official Website. ICC. Retrieved August 7, 2022.

External links

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