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Timbuktu mausoleum destruction suspect appears at ICC Timbuktu mausoleum destruction suspect appears at ICC
(about 1 hour later)
A suspected Islamist militant accused of destroying cultural sites in Timbuktu has appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC), in the first case of its kind.A suspected Islamist militant accused of destroying cultural sites in Timbuktu has appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC), in the first case of its kind.
Ahmad al Faqi al-Mahdi is suspected of war crimes over the destruction of nine mausoleums and a mosque in the ancient Malian city in 2012. Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi is suspected of war crimes over the destruction of nine mausoleums and a mosque in the ancient Malian city in 2012.
He was handed over by Niger after the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest.He was handed over by Niger after the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest.
Islamists occupied the city until they were ousted by French forces in 2013.Islamists occupied the city until they were ousted by French forces in 2013.
In a statement earlier, the ICC said the suspect would be informed of the charges against him during Wednesday's initial hearing. The judge was also expected to verify the suspect's identity and the language in which he will be able to follow the proceedings. Wearing a navy-blue suit and wire-rimmed spectacles, Mr Faqi told the court: "My name is Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, I am from the al-Ansar Tuareg tribe."
The ICC says this is the first case to be brought before the court "concerning the destruction of buildings dedicated to religion and historical monuments". He told the court he was born "about 40 years ago" in Agoune, 100km (60 miles) west of Timbuktu, and was a "graduate of the teachers' institute in Timbuktu and... a civil servant in education in the Malian government beginning 2011".
He said he wished to be spoken to in Arabic, but gave no other statement during the proceedings at which the charges were read out.
The judge said the next hearing would be on 18 January, where a decision would be taken whether to put the suspect on trial.
Treasures of TimbuktuTreasures of Timbuktu
Saving Timbuktu's manuscriptsSaving Timbuktu's manuscripts
In pictures: Timbuktu's manuscriptsIn pictures: Timbuktu's manuscripts
Why do we know TimbuktuWhy do we know Timbuktu
Mr Faqi, who was born about 100km (60 miles) west of Timbuktu, is suspected of being a member of Ansar Dine - an al-Qaeda-linked group that held much of northern Mali in 2012. According to the prosecutor, Mr Faqi was a "zealous member" of Ansar Dine, a Tuareg extremist militia with links to al-Qaeda, reports the BBC's Anna Holligan who was in court.
He is alleged to have been head of the Hesbah - or what some call the 'Manners' Brigade' - which enforced strict Islamist law in Timbuktu during the unrest, and of being involved with and executing decisions made by the so-called Islamic Court of Timbuktu. He is alleged to have been head of the Hesbah - or what some call the "manners' brigade" - which enforced strict Islamist law in Timbuktu during the unrest that rocked Mali in 2012 and 2013, and of being involved with and executing the decisions of the so-called Islamic Court of Timbuktu.
During their occupation, the militants vandalised and destroyed mosques and mausoleums, and burnt tens of thousands of ancient manuscripts.During their occupation, the militants vandalised and destroyed mosques and mausoleums, and burnt tens of thousands of ancient manuscripts.
The city - which is listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco - was considered the centre of Islamic learning from the 13th to the 17th Centuries.The city - which is listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco - was considered the centre of Islamic learning from the 13th to the 17th Centuries.
At one time it counted nearly 200 schools and universities that attracted thousands of students from across the Muslim world.At one time it counted nearly 200 schools and universities that attracted thousands of students from across the Muslim world.
The mausoleums were shrines to Timbuktu's founding fathers, who had been venerated as saints by most of the city's inhabitants.The mausoleums were shrines to Timbuktu's founding fathers, who had been venerated as saints by most of the city's inhabitants.
But this practice is considered blasphemous by fundamentalists.But this practice is considered blasphemous by fundamentalists.
Earlier this year, 14 mausoleums were rebuilt by local stone masons using traditional techniques.Earlier this year, 14 mausoleums were rebuilt by local stone masons using traditional techniques.
The case against Mr Faqi is the first to be brought before the ICC "concerning the destruction of buildings dedicated to religion and historical monuments".
The court, which has until now always focused on attacks against people, hopes the charges against Mr Faqi will deter others who may seek to destroy these treasured pieces of history, our correspondent says.