The judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague consider this week about the destruction of cultural heritage in the Malian city of Timbuktu.
The suspect in this case, Ahmad al Faqi Al Mahdi, has previously admitted that he was involved in the demolition of fourteen of the sixteen tombs of Koran Scholars Timbuktu has.
It is the first time that the Court ruled in a case concerning the destruction of cultural heritage. The maximum penalty for the offense has been thirty years in prison.
Idolatry
Al Mahdi was a member of the Islamic extremist militia Ansar Dine, which controlled northern Mali in 2012. He determined then that the locals was guilty of idolatry because the scholars of the past revered as saints.
Then decided the al-Qaida-linked radicals of Ansar Dine destroy tombs and a mosque with pickaxes.
Most mausoleums have been again rebuilt . After French soldiers in 2013. Ansar Dine had driven out of northern Mali, the fugitive Al Mahdi was arrested in neighboring Niger.
Rape
Human rights organizations believe that the ICC should consider also other accusations against Al Mahdi as its role in rape and sexual slavery in Mali; but he is not sued for it.
Since the accused pleaded guilty, it is expected that the Court will handle the case in a week.
By: NOS Editors: Photo: AFP
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