Al Mahdi case: Trial to open on 22 August 2016

Situation: Mali
Case:The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi

On 1 June 2016, Trial Chamber VIII of the International Criminal Court (ICC) scheduled the opening of the trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi for 22 August 2016.

This date was set to ensure that the parties have a reasonable opportunity to secure the testimony of their witnesses and to ensure the disclosure of outstanding materials. The Chamber also noted the parties' submissions that the trial is only estimated to last a few days, due to the fact Mr Al Mahdi expressed his wish to plead guilty, and that the Chamber will aim to complete the trial in a single week.

The trial is conducted by Trial Chamber VIII, composed of Judge Raul C. Pangalangan, Presiding Judge, Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, and Judge Bertram Schmitt.

Background: On 24 March 2016, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed against Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi the war crime charge regarding the destruction of historical and religious monuments in Timbuktu (Mali), and committed Mr Al Mahdi to trial.  On 1 March 2016, Mr Al Mahdi explicitly expressed before ICC Judges and in the presence of his lawyers, his wish to plead guilty. The warrant of arrest against him was issued by ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I on 18 September 2015 and he was surrendered to the ICC on 26 September 2015. Mr Al Mahdi is in ICC custody.

For more information on this case, click here

Decision Setting the Commencement Date of the Trial

For further information, please contact the Public Affairs Unit of the International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9767 or +31 (0)70 515-9294 or by e-mail at: [email protected].

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