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Accused Islamist Extremist Mali War Crimes Trial Set to Start Tuesday in ICC

VOA News

   An alleged Islamist arrested in Mali is set to go on trial Tuesday at
   the International Criminal Court fororchestrating warcrimes and crimes
   againsthumanity inthe city of Timbuktu.

   Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud was arrested in 2018
   inMali, wherehe was said to bea key member of Ansar Dine ("Defenders of
   the Faith"), amilitant group that ruled northern Mali for nearly a year
   in 2012.

   ProsecutorsallegeAl Hassan orchestrateda rangeof crimes,
   includingtorture,rape, sexual slavery and other inhumane acts.The chief
   prosecutor of the ICC, FatouBensouda said, Al Hassan was also accused
   of being involved in the destruction ofancient artifacts that
   paidhomage to supposed idols.

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