• About US
  • Our Work
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
  • Login
JFJ - Journalists for Justice
  • Home
  • Communities of Justice
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Human Rights
  • Elections
  • About US
  • Our Work
  • Careers
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Communities of Justice
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Human Rights
  • Elections
  • About US
  • Our Work
  • Careers
No Result
View All Result
JFJ - Journalists for Justice
No Result
View All Result

Former Islamist leader pleads guilty to war crime charges

byJournalists for Justice
February 6, 2022
in Rulings
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A

Al Mahdi case: accused makes an admission of guilt at trial opening, 22 August 2016

 Former Malian Islamist and leader of a group alleged to have links to Al  Qaeda, Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, admitted guilt during his trial over the war crime consisting the destruction of historical and religious monuments in Timbuktu.

The trial opened on Monday, 22, before Trial Chamber VIII at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands.

This is the first international trial focusing on the destruction of historical and religious monuments, and the first ICC case where the defendant made an admission of guilt.

RelatedPosts

Dominic Ongwen found guilty of 61 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity

ICC Appeals Chamber adjourns to consider submissions on the acquittal of Gbagbo and Blé Goudé

ICC prosecution asks Appeals Chamber to overturn the acquittal of Gbagbo and Blé Goudé

The trial, the first concerning the situation in Mali before the ICC, started with the reading of an extract of the confirmed charge against the accused and the Presiding judge asked the accused to confirm that he understood the charge. Al Mahdi, which means the guided one, admitted guilt as to the charge.

Accordingly, the judges questioned the accused in order to confirm that: (a) the accused understood the nature and consequences of the admission and (b) the admission was made voluntarily after sufficient consultation with his Defence counsel. After that, the Office of the Prosecutor started the presentation of its case which is expected to last for two to three days.

Once the Prosecution concludes its presentation, the legal representative of the victims as well as the Defence will present their remarks. In addition, the judges have agreed that the Defence may request the introduction at a later stage of two Defence witnesses’ statements in writing relating to the possible sentence. The judges will thereafter deliberate and in due course pronounce a decision on the guilt or innocence of the accused and the possible sentence.

Al Mahdi led al-Hesbah, which acted for the Islamic court of Timbuktu, while he was a member of Ansar Dine, a Tuareg rebel group allied with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

The former teacher in his 40s is accused of directing attacks on nine mausoleums and the Sidi Yahia mosque in Timbuktu, a trade hub that became Islam’s “intellectual and spiritual capital” in Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Nine victims will take the stand.

Previous Post

Refugees give harrowing tales of abuse in Libya

Next Post

New Katanga trial shows DRC’S potential to try complex international crimes

Next Post

New Katanga trial shows DRC'S potential to try complex international crimes

Please login to join discussion

Recent Posts

  • New marathon international trial in The Hague?
  • ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova in Ukraine Conflict
  • Félicien Kabuga’s IRMCT trial suspended indefinitely over dementia claims
  • Darfur victims to wait longer for justice as Khan’s new strategy faces challenges
  • The Hague to host new Ukraine Damage Register

Follow us on Twitter

JFJ – Journalists for Justice

We call out impunity wherever it occurs; we advocate justice for all victims of atrocity crimes; and we work with people of goodwill everywhere who share our values.

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Loading

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Communities of Justice
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Human Rights
  • Elections
  • About US
  • Our Work
  • Careers

Copyright © 2019. Journalists for Justice has asserted its right to be recognized as creators and owners of the content here. Reproduction in part or in whole is permitted on condition that JFJ is acknowledged and notified.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.