Al Hassan Case

The Prosecutor v. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud

ICC-01/12-01/18
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In ICC custody

Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz

Alleged member of Ansar Eddine and de facto chief of Islamic police. Alleged to have been involved in the work of the Islamic court in Timbuktu.

Charges: Suspected of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Timbuktu, Mali, in the context of a widespread and systematic attack by armed groups Ansar Eddine / Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb against the civilian population of Timbuktu and its region, between 1 April 2012 and 28 January 2013: Torture, rape, sexual slavery, other inhumane acts, including, inter alia, forced marriages, persecution; and of war crimes allegedly committed in Timbuktu, Mali, in the context of an armed conflict not of an international nature occurring in the same period between April 2012 and January 2013: Torture, cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity, passing of sentences without previous judgement pronounced by a regularly constituted court affording all judicial guarantees which are generally recognized as indispensable, intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion and historic monuments, rape and sexual slavery.

  • 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. 

    Next steps: The judges have started their deliberations on the proceedings and the judgment will be pronounced in due course. 

    Information for victims

Trial Chamber X

Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua (President Judge)
Judge Tomoko Akane
Judge Kimberly Prost

Office of the Prosecutor

Karim A. A. Khan, Prosecutor

Defence

​Melinda Taylor
Felicity Gerry KC
 

Legal Representatives of the Victims

​Seydou Doumbia
Mayombo Kassongo
Fidel Nsita Luvengika