The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, a former police chief linked to al-Qaida, to ten years in prison for his involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity during his tenure in Timbuktu, Mali. This ruling was delivered on November 20, 2024, following his conviction earlier this year for acts including torture and religious persecution that occurred after Islamic extremists seized control of the city in 2012.

Al Hassan served as the head of the Islamic police in Timbuktu during a period marked by severe human rights abuses. His group, Ansar Dine, was part of the extremist coalition that imposed a reign of terror over the local population.

In June 2024, he was found guilty of multiple charges, including torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners. The court highlighted the traumatic impact of his actions on the Timbuktu community.

Despite the convictions, Al Hassan was acquitted of several charges related to the abuse of women, including rape and sexual slavery, due to insufficient evidence linking him directly to those crimes.

The ten-year sentence will be reduced by the time he has already served, as he has been in custody since March 2018. Both the prosecution and defense have indicated plans to appeal the ruling.

The sentencing comes amid ongoing violence in Mali, where various armed groups, including those affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State, continue to pose significant security challenges.

This case marks a significant step in the ICC’s efforts to hold individuals accountable for war crimes and to address the legacy of violence in Mali.

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