Mali rebel accused of destroying Timbuktu shrines

 An alleged Islamic radical appeared before the International Criminal Court Tuesday to answer charges that he helped destroy historic religious shrines in the Malian city of Timbuktu. Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, who spoke only briefly during the pretrial hearing in The Hague, is accused of organizing the destruction of 14 mausoleums and a mosque – “irreplaceable […]

 An alleged Islamic radical appeared before the International Criminal Court Tuesday to answer charges that he helped destroy historic religious shrines in the Malian city of Timbuktu.

Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, who spoke only briefly during the pretrial hearing in The Hague, is accused of organizing the destruction of 14 mausoleums and a mosque – “irreplaceable historical monuments,” according to a prosecutor.

Al-Mahdi was a member of Ansar Dine, an al-Qaida-affiliated group that ruled parts of northern Mali from early 2012 until it was ousted a year later by French military forces.  

Al-Mahdi rose briefly during the hearing to confirm that he understood the charges, but he was not required to enter a plea. During two days of testimony, prosecutors are asking judges to confirm there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial.