Timbuktu, in northern Mali, is a UNESCO World Heritage site of huge cultural importance. Pictured is its famous Sankore Mosque, built in the 15th-16th centuries.
Timbuktu's treasures —
Timbuktu, in northern Mali, is a UNESCO World Heritage site of huge cultural importance. Pictured is its famous Sankore Mosque, built in the 15th-16th centuries.
Getty Images
Islamists have established themselves in the northern part of Mali, where they have repeatedly targeted Timbuktu's ancient burial sites, which they regard as idolatrous. <br />Pictured, Islamist militants destroy an ancient shrine in Timbuktu on July 1, in a still from a video.
Timbuktu's treasures —
Islamists have established themselves in the northern part of Mali, where they have repeatedly targeted Timbuktu's ancient burial sites, which they regard as idolatrous.
Pictured, Islamist militants destroy an ancient shrine in Timbuktu on July 1, in a still from a video.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
The entrance of the "Cemetery of three Saints" in Timbuktu was also attacked last year by Islamist militants.
Timbuktu's treasures —
The entrance of the "Cemetery of three Saints" in Timbuktu was also attacked last year by Islamist militants.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
Among Timbuktu's treasures is the Djinguereber Mosque, one of the three schools which comprised the medieval Islamic university of Timbuktu.
Timbuktu's treasures —
Among Timbuktu's treasures is the Djinguereber Mosque, one of the three schools which comprised the medieval Islamic university of Timbuktu.
ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images
Inside the Sankore mosque complex. The buildings are constructed from mud bricks and adobe in a prime example of what is known as the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style.
Timbuktu's treasures —
Inside the Sankore mosque complex. The buildings are constructed from mud bricks and adobe in a prime example of what is known as the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style.
Courtesy UNESCO / F. Bandarin
In this archive picture, locals climb the Sankore Mosque. This week, UNESCO issued new calls for the protection of Timbuktu. "Mali's cultural heritage is a jewel whose protection is important for the whole of humanity," said UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova.
Timbuktu's treasures —
In this archive picture, locals climb the Sankore Mosque. This week, UNESCO issued new calls for the protection of Timbuktu. "Mali's cultural heritage is a jewel whose protection is important for the whole of humanity," said UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova.
Courtesy UNESCO / F. Bandarin
Fears for Timbuktu in Mali conflict

Story highlights

Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi was a member of al-Qaeda affiliate Ansar Dine in Mali

Ansar Dine declared it would establish an Islamist state and enforce strict sharia

CNN  — 

For the first time, the International Criminal Court is trying someone on war crime charges for destroying a cultural monument.

The court in The Hague, which usually goes after individuals who violate humanitarian law during armed conflicts, is putting Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi on trial.

Al-Mahdi, also known as “Abou Tourab,” is said to be a member of the al Qaeda-affiliated Ansar Dine in Mali. He allegedly directed the ransacking of the ancient North African city of Timbuktu in 2012. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Related video Militants destroying Mali history

No cultural coexistence

Like ISIS in the Middle East, Ansar Dine in the north of Mali declared it would establish an Islamist state and enforce strict sharia. And like ISIS, it had little room for cultural or religious coexistence. This included ancient historic monuments and religious shrines.

So, the group turned some into rubble, including the tombs of historic religious figures. It also went after institutions housing documents from the Middle Ages in Timbuktu, which was founded in the 5th century.

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Related video Ancient Islamic manuscripts under threat

In 2013, France sent in troops to reign in the rebels. A 12,600-strong United Nations peacekeeping force followed.

Mali and neighboring Niger cooperated to capture al-Mahdi and hand him over to the ICC.

Serious crime

On Saturday, he was brought to The Hague, Netherlands, for trial.

“This is the first such case and it breaks new ground for the protection of humanity’s shared cultural heritage and values,” said UNESCO Secretary-General Irina Bokova. “The cultural heritage of Mali belongs to all humanity. It is vital that the criminals be brought to justice.”

UNESCO has been working with the Mali government on the reconstruction of the destroyed monuments.

“Such attacks affect humanity as a whole. We must stand up to the destruction and defacing of our common heritage,” said ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.