We previously discussed the Islamic extremists who destroyed priceless artifacts within Timbuktu in Mali. Now one of the culprits, Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, pleaded guilty to destroying religious monuments in the ancient city. After destroying centuries of artifacts, al-Mahdi now expresses remorse before the International Criminal Court.
Mahdi, also known as “Abou Tourab”, was charged in March for the attacks between June and July 2012 as a member of the al Qaeda-affiliated Ansar Dine in Mali. So this is a guy who joined a bloodthirsty band of terrorists and methodically destroyed ancient sites, but now claims remorse? It is not clear how much such belated humanity should count for.
Mahdi could face 30 years and now insists, “It is also my hope that the years I will spend in prison will be source to purge the evil spirit that took me and I will keep my hopes high that the people will be able to forgive me … I would like to give a piece of advice to the Muslims in the world not to get involved in the kind of acts that I did because it will give no good to humanity.”
This case is a breakthrough in the fight against terror. It is the first time that the International Criminal Court has classified destroying cultural artifacts as a war crime. As we have previously discussed, ISIS has exploded and bulldozed whole historic cities. Now one has been forced to stand trial for his despicable crimes.
ISIS is truly evil. Recent news stories claim that they now boil people alive in tar as their current favored method of execution.
I wonder what else this guy did.
Saying he was sorry worked for Albert Speers, why not our boy here.
“This case is a breakthrough in the fight against terror. It is the first time that the International Criminal Court has classified destroying cultural artifacts as a war crime.”
This must come as quite a relief to the global population terrorized by Islamic extremism; to know that their cultural artifacts will be vigorously defended while they are not.
“ISIS has exploded and bulldozed whole historic cities.”
They aren’t the only ones who have done that. Quite a lot of historic artifacts were in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Tokyo, and the European cities the US bombed, not to mention the destroyed historic artifacts in Vietnam, Iraq, Syria, etc. The British Museum, Louvre, appear to be filled with stolen artifacts.
A terrorist goes beyond the Pale when he destroys an artifact in Timbuktu.
While I am delighted to see this guy punished by the ICC for destruction of artifacts I would be much happier if W and his cabal were brought to justice for invading Iraq under false pretenses — as well as Obama and HRC being brought to justice for taking out Ghaddafi and destablizing Libya.
But that ain’t never gonna happen.
He’s so sorry they caught him!