ICC Sentences Malian Islamist for Destruction of Historic Sites

A Postcard Image from 1905 of One of the Malian Mausoleums Damaged During Al-Mahdi’s attack. (Edmond Fortier)

On September 27, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued the first ever prison sentence for the destruction of historical cultural landmarks. Islamist rebel Ahmad al-Faqi Al-Mahdi was sentenced to nine years in prison for leading a group of insurgents in destroying ten mausoleums in the ancient Malian city of Timbuktu in 2012. Nine of these now-destroyed landmarks were on the UNESCO World Heritage list for their rich history as 14th century trading hubs and their religious importance for Sufi Muslims.

Under international law, the desecration of holy sites is classified as a war crime. According to Reuters, the presiding judge over the case described the crime as, “a war activity aimed at breaking the soul of the people.” It is believed that Al-Mahdi and his group targeted these mausoleums because they considered them “idolatrous” and contrary to Islamic doctrine.  The Atlantic reports that Al-Mahdi expressed severe remorse for his actions, pleading with other Muslims to, “not get involved in the same acts I got involved in, because they are not going to lead to any good for humanity.”

The destruction of sacred landmarks by rebel groups has become an increasingly popular method of asserting dominance over territory. Just last year, Islamic State militants blew up several ancient temples in Palmyra, Syria along with the Mosque of the Prophet Yunus in Mosul, Iraq. Archaeologists have largely condemned the destruction of culturally significant artifacts, no matter what ideologies or principles they appear to represent. With this unprecedented ruling, the ICC hopes Al-Mahdi’s sentencing will serve as a reminder of the consequences for destroying historical sites and prevent similar acts from occurring in the future.