(The Hague) Ahmadal-Faqi al-Mahdi, who is currently serving a 9-year prison sentence for destroying ancient mausoleums in Timbuktu, has been fined $3.2 million in damages by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The case revolves around how Mahdi led terrorists who destroyed nine of Timbuktu's mausoleums and the centuries-old door of the city's Sidi Yahia mosque in 2012. Mahdi was described as a member of Ansar Dine - an Islamic terrorist group which occupied Timbuktu for months, enforcing its own version of Sharia law on residents. The court has said the $3.1m (£2.4m) damages should go to the local community of Timbuktu protecting the sites. In its ruling, the ICC said that its reparations order was based on three categories of harm: "damage to the attacked historic and religious buildings, consequential economic loss, and moral harm." Part of the reparations costs will also go toward individuals whose livelihoods depended on the Timbuktu landmarks and whose ancestors' burial sites were wrecked in the attack. Mahdi pleaded guilty to the crime and apologised. He said he had been overtaken by evil spirits and urged Muslims not to follow his example.
However, this is where it gets silly. Mahdi is in prison and has no money, so the money for the damages will come from the ICC's Trust Fund for Victims.
So, can somebody please tell me how this punishes this religious bigot and sends a strong message to those who may carry out similar acts of destruction?
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| Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi |
However, this is where it gets silly. Mahdi is in prison and has no money, so the money for the damages will come from the ICC's Trust Fund for Victims.
So, can somebody please tell me how this punishes this religious bigot and sends a strong message to those who may carry out similar acts of destruction?
