In a historic turn of events, the International Criminal Court has sentenced Al-Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, aka the head of the Islamic police in Timbuktu, Mali, to 10 years in prison for war crimes. The decision marks a crucial step in the quest for justice for the atrocities committed during the occupation of the historic city by the Al-Qaeda-linked group Ansar Dine in 2012.
Al-Hassan, 47, was convicted of torture, supervising public amputations, and organizing brutal punishments, including on children. The horror he wreaked during his reign has been described as “terror” by ICC prosecutors. The presiding judge, Kimberly Prost, said the sentence was “proportionate to the gravity of the crimes” and highlighted the suffering inflicted on the victims.
However, despite the conviction, Al-Hassan was acquitted of charges of rape, sexual slavery and the destruction of ancient mausoleums in Timbuktu. While the court acknowledged that crimes of sexual violence were committed during Ansar Dine’s rule, it found that he was not directly responsible for them.
Human rights groups expressed disappointment at Al-Hassan’s acquittal for gender-based crimes, highlighting the testimonies of women who were raped in detention. The fight for justice for victims of sexual violence therefore continues.
Al-Hassan was surrendered to the ICC in 2018 by Malian authorities and has 30 days to appeal. The issue of reparations for victims will be addressed at a later date, in the interests of justice and reconciliation.
Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a centre of Islamic learning from the 13th to the 17th centuries, suffered considerable damage during the Islamist occupation in 2012. Another member of Ansar Dine, Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, was previously sentenced to nine years in prison in 2016 for the destruction of the city’s ancient shrines.
This sentence against Al-Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud represents a significant step towards justice for war crimes committed in Timbuktu and demonstrates the international community’s continued commitment to prosecuting those responsible for such heinous acts. Justice that, while partial, is a reminder that the consequences of atrocities cannot go unpunished in a world where human rights must be respected and upheld.