Nine years in jail for destroying Mali’s shrines

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Nine years in jail for destroying Mali’s shrines

 

 

THE HAGUE: -- A former Islamist rebel is facing nine years behind bars after admitting the destruction of holy shrines in Mali – judged for the first time as a war crime by the International Criminal Court.

 

Some say they are prepared to forgive Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi for the destruction of 10 mausoleums and religious sites in Timbuktu during Mali’s 2012 conflict.

 

Such acts have rarely been prosecuted despite being illegal under international law.

 

Mixed views in Timbuktu

 

There are mixed views in Timbuktu.

 

“Timbuktu is a religious, forgiving and tolerant city. Ahmad al-Faqi apologised and he regretted his actions. So, being a city of tolerance and Islam, I think it is a relief to us,” said Timbuktu resident Baba Haidara.

 

“Our religion is one of forgiveness, so it is up to us to forgive him,” said Alphadi Wangara, the Imam of the city’s Sidi Yahya mosque. “As a religious, Muslim man, I personally don’t recognise the ICC’s justice system. I know that the ICC is not just. So it is up to us to sentence or forgive Ahmad al-Faqi.”

 

The head of Timbuktu’s cultural mission, Al Boukhari Ben Essayouti, oversaw reconstruction of the city’s damaged sites with UNESCO’s assistance.

 

He said the trial sent a clear message. “Its goal was to make people understand that, just like when people are condemned for killing a man, when you destroy heritage, you can also be condemned. So that is the main message that we received.”

 

How important were the sites attacked?

 

Nine of them were on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

 

The ICC’s presiding judges said al-Mahdi struck at the most meaningfully religious ones.

 

Specifically, they said he planned, led and participated in the attacks, supplying pick-axes and, in one case, a bulldozer.

 

How long has the ICC been investigating the case?

 

Since 2012.

 

This was when Tuareg rebels seized part of the north of Mali, imposing a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

 

French and Malian troops pushed them back the following year.

 

What was al-Mahdi’s testimony before the court?

 

During his brief trial in August, al-Mahdi asked for forgiveness.

 

He said he had been swept up in an “evil wave” when al Qaeda and the Ansar Dine Islamist groups briefly seized control of the ancient sites.

 

Prosecutors and the defence had agreed beforehand to accept a sentence of nine to 11 years for the former religious teacher.

 

The judges said the sentence took into account al-Mahdi’s calls on other Muslims not to make the same mistakes he had.
 

What they are saying

 

The verdict is “a landmark in gaining recognition for the importance of heritage for humanity as a whole and for the communities that have preserved it over the centuries,” – UNESCO.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-09-28

[jaidam]

We must enjoy our ancient sites and structures while we can. The destruction of non islamic historical sites have made people aware that St.Pauls cathedral and thousands of other sites days are numbered.  To be fair these old sites do take up valuable real estate that could find a more practical use in todays society. Soup kitchens for example or mosques. Something in demand anyway.

 

with good behaviour this lad could be back in business in 3 years. He is the African version of Fred Dibnah, you cant stop some of these guys. TNT is in their blood.

[Laughing Gravy]

Plus Jail time in the Hague will be cushy for him. better than the life he probably had. Xbox, TV, weekly visits, 4 star food plus all the other civil rights he will get. It will be holiday for this fella. I don't feel sorry for him one bit.

[halloween]

" meaningfully religious"  there's a fine oxymoron to start the day.

 

“As a religious, Muslim man, I personally don’t recognise the ICC’s justice system. I know that the ICC is not just. So it is up to us to sentence or forgive Ahmad al-Faqi.”

Here is the problem. The world's most intolerant religion is only tolerant to its members, quite prepared to "forgive" crimes against infidels, and then claiming persecution when those attacked aren't so forgiving.

[giddyup]

If the extremists had their way they would destroy all the Egyptian temples that have survived for thousands of years.

[simple1]

Good to see that some are concerned about the destruction of Muslim heritage buildings. I believe the conviction is just a first step and further charges related to war crimes are to be laid for trial.