The sentencing hearing for Malian former rebel leader Alhassan Ag Abdoul Aziz has been postponed to September 18, 2024. Initially scheduled for August 28, 2024, the delay comes as additional time is granted for lawyers to appeal the judgment.
Alhassan Ag Abdoul Aziz was convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on June 26, 2024, for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including charges of torture, inhumane treatment, and persecution.
These crimes were primarily committed during the 2012 occupation of Timbuktu by Ansar Dine and Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
This conviction marks the second instance of a Malian being convicted by the ICC, following the case of Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi. During the hearing on September 18, the ICC will determine the length of Aziz’s imprisonment and the amount of compensation to be paid to victims.
While he faces up to 30 years in prison, the final sentence will depend on the gravity of the confirmed crimes.
Financial reparations for victims could reach several million dollars. The ICC’s Trust Fund for Victims, chaired by Minou Tavárez Mirabal of the Dominican Republic, plays a crucial role in ensuring that survivors receive reparations.
The fund offers both symbolic payments and rehabilitation measures, helping victims rebuild their lives after enduring serious crimes.
Report by Ismail Ramadan
