Convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, Malian Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud faces 30 years in prison.
On Wednesday 26 June, the International Criminal Court (ICC) convicted Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between April 2012 and January 2013 in Timbuktu, then under the control of Ansar Dine and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). He is the second Malian to be sentenced by the ICC after Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, who was convicted in 2016 for the destruction of mausoleums in Timbuktu.
The verdict, delivered by a majority of Trial Chamber X, composed of Presiding Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, Judges Tomoko Akane and Kimberly Prost, underlines the gravity of the acts committed by Al Hassan. The presiding judge stated that “this trial is not about Sharia law or the Muslim religion in general”, but about the specific crimes attributed to Al Hassan.
Recruited by senior AQIM officials, Al Hassan quickly rose through the ranks to become an influential member of the Islamic Police and played a key role in the repressive system set up by Ansar Dine and AQIM. He organised the activities of the Islamic Police, drafted reports, participated in the transfer of defendants and carried out the sentences of the Islamic Tribunal.
The judges found Al Hassan guilty of crimes against humanity, including torture, and war crimes, including torture, outrages upon personal dignity, mutilation and cruel treatment. However, he was acquitted of charges of rape, sexual slavery and attacking protected property, as the Chamber did not find him directly responsible for these crimes.
This conviction comes a few days after the unsealing of the arrest warrant for Iyad Ag Ghaly on 21 June 2024. The leader of Ansar Dine and the Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans, Ag Ghaly is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity similar to those of Al Hassan. Hunted by a number of foreign powers, his capture would be a major blow in the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel.
Al Hassan faces up to 30 years in prison, or even life if the gravity of the crimes warrants it. The ICC can also order reparations for victims, including restitution, compensation and rehabilitation. The Trust Fund for Victims could be used to finance these reparations.
The trial to determine sentences and reparations will begin shortly, and the parties have 30 days to appeal the verdict.
MD/ac/lb/as/APA