Editor’s Note:
We understand that the confirmation of charges hearing detailed below represents a milestone in the prosecution of damage and destruction cultural heritage as a war crime. This actual prosecution of the case, involving destruction of various historically significant buildings in Timbuktu, will unfold in the months ahead and will provide a critically important precedent for future prosecution of similar war crimes involving destruction of cultural heritage.

.
Case Information Sheet:: ICC – The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi
Situation in the Republic of Mali
Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi
Age: Born approximately 1975
Place of birth: Agoune, 100 kilometers west of Timbuktu, Mali,
Warrant of arrest: 18 September 2015
Transferred to The Hague: 26 September 2015
First appearance: 30 September 2015
Confirmation of charges hearing:
1 March 2016
Charges
The Chamber found that the evidence establishes reasonable grounds to believe that Al Mahdi is criminally responsible for having committed, individually and jointly with others, facilitated or otherwise contributed to the commission of war crimes alleged by the Prosecutor regarding intentionally directing attacks against the following buildings: 1) the mausoleum Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed Aquit, 2) the mausoleum Sheikh Mohamed Mahmoud Al Arawani, 3) the mausoleum Sheikh Sidi Mokhtar Ben Sidi Muhammad Ben Sheikh Alkabir, 4) the mausoleum Alpha Moya, 5) the mausoleum Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Ben Amar Arragadi, 6) the
mausoleum Sheikh Muhammad El Micky, 7) the mausoleum Cheick Abdoul Kassim Attouaty, 8) the mausoleum Ahamed Fulane, 9) the mausoleum Bahaber Babadié, and 10) Sidi Yahia mosque.

It is alleged that Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, from the Ansar Tuareg tribe, was an active personality in the context of the occupation of Timbuktu. He allegedly was a member of Ansar Eddine, working closely with the leaders of the two armed groups and in the context of the structures and institutions established by them. It is alleged that, until September 2012, he was at the head of the “Hisbah” (body set up to uphold public morals and prevent vice), operational from May 2012. He was also associated with the work of the Islamic Court of Timbuktu and has participated in executing its decisions. Specifically, it is alleged that he was involved in the destruction of the buildings mentioned in the charges…