The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud to 30 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between April 2012 and January 2013 in Timbuktu, which was then under the control of Ansar Dine and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
Al Hassan is the second Malian to be convicted by the ICC, following Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, who was convicted in 2016 for the destruction of mausoleums in Timbuktu.
The verdict, delivered by a majority in Trial Chamber X, clarified that the trial was not about Sharia law or the Muslim religion in general, but specifically about the 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, playing a key role in the repressive system established by Ansar Dine and AQIM.
He organized the activities of the Islamic Police, wrote reports, participated in the transfers of accused persons, and executed the judgments of the Islamic Court.
The judges found Al Hassan guilty of crimes against humanity, including torture, as well as war crimes, including torture, outrages upon personal dignity, mutilation, and cruel treatment. However, he was acquitted of charges of rape, sexual slavery, and attacks on protected property, as the Chamber could not establish his direct responsibility for these crimes.
This conviction comes a few days after the unsealing of an arrest warrant for Iyad Ag Ghaly on June 21, 2024.
As the leader of Ansar Dine and the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, Ag Ghaly is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity similar to those charged against Al Hassan.
His capture would be a significant blow in the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel.
Al Hassan faces up to 30 years in prison, or even life imprisonment if the severity 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 procedure to determine penalties and reparations will begin shortly, and the parties have 30 days to appeal the verdict.
