Mali: Former Al-Qaeda-Linked Police Chief Jailed for 10 Years for War Crimes

The Hague, Netherlands – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced Al-Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, former head of the Islamic police in Timbuktu, Mali, to 10 years in prison for war crimes committed during the Islamist occupation of the historic city in 2012.

Al-Hassan, 47, was found guilty of leading a “reign of terror” under the rule of Ansar Dine, an al-Qaeda-linked group. Prosecutors detailed his role in acts of torture, organizing public amputations, and brutal floggings, including those of children.

Presiding judge Kimberly Prost described the sentence as “proportionate to the gravity of the crimes,” emphasizing the suffering inflicted on the victims.

While Al-Hassan was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the ICC acquitted him of charges of rape, sexual slavery, and the destruction of Timbuktu’s ancient mausoleums. The court acknowledged that sexual violence occurred during Ansar Dine’s rule but ruled that Al-Hassan was not directly responsible for these acts.

The verdict prompted mixed reactions. Rights groups criticized the acquittal on gender-based crimes, highlighting testimonies of women who reported being raped while in detention.

Al-Hassan was arrested by Malian authorities in 2017 and transferred to ICC custody in 2018. He has 30 days to appeal the ruling. The court will address reparations for victims at a later stage.

Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its Islamic scholarship from the 13th to 17th centuries, suffered extensive damage during the 2012 occupation.

Ansar Dine’s actions, including the destruction of ancient mausoleums, drew global condemnation. Another Ansar Dine leader, Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, was sentenced to nine years by the ICC in 2016 for his role in demolishing Timbuktu’s sacred shrines.

This sentencing marks a significant step in addressing the crimes committed during the conflict in Mali, though questions remain about justice for victims of sexual violence.