(Vatican Radio) The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened proceedings against an Islamist militant from Mali for ordering the destruction of Timbuktu’s religious and cultural heritage.The ICC says the trial wants to send the message that attacks on religious sites constitute war crimes.Listen to Devin Watkins' report: The International Criminal Court has seen two ‘firsts’ in a single trial: the first war crimes proceedings for the destruction of cultural heritage, and the first confession and apology of a defendant.Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi is on trial for ordering the destruction of religious and cultural monuments in Mali’s capital of Timbuktu.Nine mausoleums and a mosque were destroyed by armed groups during Mali’s civil war in 2012, at least one of which was a World Heritage Site.Al Madhi was a member of the Ansare Dine rebel group which seized control of the capital in conjunction with Al Qaeda.He enforced the rulings of the Islami...
(Vatican Radio) The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened proceedings against an Islamist militant from Mali for ordering the destruction of Timbuktu’s religious and cultural heritage.
The ICC says the trial wants to send the message that attacks on religious sites constitute war crimes.
Listen to Devin Watkins' report:
The International Criminal Court has seen two ‘firsts’ in a single trial: the first war crimes proceedings for the destruction of cultural heritage, and the first confession and apology of a defendant.
Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi is on trial for ordering the destruction of religious and cultural monuments in Mali’s capital of Timbuktu.
Nine mausoleums and a mosque were destroyed by armed groups during Mali’s civil war in 2012, at least one of which was a World Heritage Site.
Al Madhi was a member of the Ansare Dine rebel group which seized control of the capital in conjunction with Al Qaeda.
He enforced the rulings of the Islamic Court of Timbuktu, set up by the groups, and ran the ‘Manners Brigade’.
Fadi El Abdallah, spokesperson for the ICC, said the proceedings are meant to send a clear message.
"We believe that it is important to send this signal everywhere: that attacks against historic or religious buildings constitutes a war crime. It is a grave conduct and a serious crime that cannot remain unpunished. It is important to give the possibility to the tribunals and courts that have jurisdiction to be able to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes."
This is also the first time a defendant on trial at the ICC has admitted to his crimes.
Al Mahdi asked forgiveness on Monday and said he had been swept by Al Qaeda during the conflict.
He also advised Muslims around the world not to commit similar acts, saying ‘they are not going to lead to any good for humanity’.
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