The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it will sentence Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, a former Malian militant police chief, on November 20th.
Al Hassan, 46, was convicted in June of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his actions in Timbuktu, including torture, floggings, and overseeing amputations while serving as police chief during militant control of the city in 2012. He played a crucial role in the brutal enforcement of Sharia law during the reign of terror by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Ansar Dine, which seized Timbuktu for almost a year.
The ICC judge highlighted Al Hassan’s key involvement in atrocities, including mutilation and persecution, but acquitted him of the war crimes of rape, sexual slavery, and the crime against humanity of forced marriage. Sentencing could include a maximum of 30 years in prison or life imprisonment, depending on the severity of his crimes and circumstances. The court may also impose financial penalties, such as fines or asset forfeiture.
Founded between the 5th and 12th centuries, Timbuktu is a historical and cultural center known as the “Pearl of the Desert” and “The City of 333 Saints.” However, the militant groups who took control of the city deemed its shrines idolatrous and destroyed them, attempting to erase Timbuktu’s rich Islamic heritage.
Both Al Hassan’s defense and the prosecution have filed notices of appeal against the June conviction. During the trial, Al Hassan admitted that the people of Timbuktu were living in constant fear during the occupation.
The ICC’s upcoming sentence is a notable development in the international pursuit of justice against militant leaders responsible for atrocities in the Sahel region. The court has also issued an arrest warrant for Iyad Ag Ghaly, leader of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), for his alleged role in the atrocities committed in Timbuktu from 2012 to 2013. JNIM is active across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, contributing to the instability in the Sahel region.
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