Situation referred to the ICC by the Government of Mali: July 2012
ICC investigations opened: January 2013
Current focus: Alleged war crimes committed in Mali since January 2012
Current regional focus: Mainly in three northern regions, Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu, with certain incidents in Bamako and Sévaré, in the south
Pre-Trial Chamber I
Judge Iulia Motoc (Presiding Judge)Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou
Judge Socorro Flores Liera
DOCUMENTS
Jurisdiction in the general situation
Mali ratified the Rome Statute on 16 August 2000 and referred the situation in its territory since January 2012 to the ICC. The ICC may exercise its jurisdiction over crimes listed in the Rome Statute committed on the territory of Mali or by its nationals from 1 July 2002 onwards.
Context and alleged crimes
The investigations in Mali have focussed on alleged war crimes committed since January 2012, mainly in three northern regions of Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu, with incidents also occurring in the south in Bamako and Sévaré.
In opening the investigation in January 2013, the Office of the Prosecutor issued an Article 53(1) Report, which states: "In 2012, the Situation in Mali was marked by two main events: first, the emergence of a rebellion in the North on or around 17 January, which resulted in Northern Mali being seized by armed groups; and second a coup d'état by a military junta on 22 March, which led to the ousting of President TOURE shortly before Presidential elections could take place, originally scheduled for 29 April 2012."
The report indicates that the rebellion in the north involved deliberate damaging of shrines of Muslim saints in the city of Timbuktu, attacks on a military bases in Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu, alleged execution of between 70 and 153 detainees at Aguelhok, and incidents of looting and rape. Separately, incidents of torture and enforced disappearances were reported in the context of the military coup.
The Prosecutor alleges that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the following crimes have been committed in Mali:
- war crimes, including murder; mutilation, cruel treatment and torture; intentionally directing attacks against protected objects; the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgement pronounced by a regularly constituted court; pillaging; and rape
2
Cases
1
Ongoing Trials
2
Warrants of arrest
1
In custody
Cases
Found guilty, sentenced to 9 years. Reparations Order for victims pronounced by judges and is final.
Accused makes an admission of guilt at trial opening
On 22 August 2016, the trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi opened before Trial Chamber VIII at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands. Mr Al Mahdi admitted guilt as to the war crime consisting in the destruction of historical and religious monuments in Timbuktu (Mali), between around 30 June 2012 and 11 July 2012. This is the first international trial focusing on the destruction of historical and religious monuments, and the first ICC case where the defendant made an admission of guilt.
The warrant of arrest for Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud was issued on 27 March 2018. He was surrendered to the ICC on 31 March 2018. He is in the Court's custody. The confirmation of charges hearing took place from 8 to 17 July 2019. On 30 September 2019, Pre-Trial Chamber I issued a confidential decision confirming the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity brought by the Prosecutor against Mr Al Hassan and committed him to trial. The redacted version of the decision was published on 13 November 2019. On 23 April 2020, Pre-Trial Chamber I partially granted the Prosecutor's request to modify the charges against Mr Al Hassan; the redacted version of this decision was published on 11 May 2020. The trial opened on 14-15 July 2020, including with the opening statement of the Prosecutor.
The trial resumed on 8 September 2020, when the Prosecution started to present its evidence and call its witnesses before the judges. 52 oral witnesses were called by the Prosecution at this stage.
On 8 February 2022, the Legal Representatives of Victims made their opening statements before the judges. From 8 to 10 February 2022, the Legal Representatives called two witnesses to testify.
On 9 May 2022, the Defence of Mr Al Hassan made its opening statement before Trial Chamber X. The first Defence witness started testifying on 10 May 2022. 22 Defense witnesses appeared in court, the last having completed testimony on 3 November 2022. On 6 February 2023, the Defence notified the judges of the closure of its presentation of evidence. On 8 February 2023, Trial Chamber X declared the closure of the submission of evidence in this case and participants were requested to file their final briefs.
The closing statements of the Office of the Prosecutor, the Legal Representatives of Victims, and the Defence are scheduled took place from 23 to 25 May 2023.
On 26 June 2024, Trial Chamber X, by majority, convicted Mr Al Hassan of some of the charges brought against him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between 2 April 2012 and 29 January 2013 in Timbuktu, northern Mali, controlled at that time by the armed groups Ansar Dine and Al-Qaida in Islamic Maghreb.
On 20 November 2024, Trial Chamber X sentenced Mr Al Hassan to 10 years of imprisonment. The time spent in detention, from 28 March 2018 to 20 November 2024, will be deducted from his sentence.
On 17 December 2024, both the Defence and the Prosecutor discontinued their appeals against the guilty verdict and will not appeal the sentence.
Next steps: On 10 December 2024, Trial Chamber X issued an order for Submissions on Reparations, giving instructions and deadlines to the Prosecution, the Legal representatives of victims, the Defence, the Registry, the Trust Fund for Victims and the Republic of Mali for various submissions on reparations to victims. The Chamber will then render its decision on reparations in the case in due course.
Mr Al Hassan will remain in the ICC detention centre until the ICC designates a country to serve his sentence.
The ICC warrant of arrest was issued under seal on 18 July 2017. The warrant was unsealed on 21 June 2024. The suspect is still at large.
Next steps: Until Iyad Ag Ghaly is arrested and transferred to the seat of the Court in The Hague, the case will remain in the Pre-Trial stage. The ICC does not try individuals unless they are present in the courtroom.: Until Iyad Ag Ghaly is arrested and transferred to the seat of the Court in The Hague, the case will remain in the Pre-Trial stage. The ICC does not try individuals unless they are present in the courtroom.