Mali: Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi transferred to UK prison facility to serve sentence
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Mr Al Mahdi in the Courtroom of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands, at the opening of the trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi on 22 August 2016. © ICC-CPI
The Presidency of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced that Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi has been transferred to Scotland, United Kingdom, to serve his sentence of imprisonment.
intentionally directing attacks against religious and historic buildings in Timbuktu
On 27 September 2016, Trial Chamber VIII found Al Mahdi guilty of the war crime consisting in intentionally directing attacks against religious and historic buildings in Timbuktu, Mali, in June and July 2012 and sentenced him to nine years’ imprisonment. He had pleaded guilty at the beginning of the trial.
The transfer of Mr Al Mahdi was not immediately announced while the Court considered a number of matters related to his safety and security.
The Presidency of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Friday that on 29 August 2018, Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi was transferred to Scotland, United Kingdom, to serve his sentence of imprisonment.
The ICC relies on state support at the enforcement of sentence stage and is highly appreciative of the voluntary cooperation of the Scottish and United Kingdom Governments in respect of Mr Al Mahdi.
Al Mahdi was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment on 27 September 2016, by Trial Chamber VIII, for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against religious and historic buildings in Timbuktu, Mali, in June and July 2012.
Al Mahdi was the first accused to make an admission of guilt at trial before the ICC. He has expressed remorse for his conduct and apologised to victims.
