Malian citizen Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi’s trial in the International Criminal Court in The Hague is a legal first. He is the first Islamic extremist to appear before the court and he’s the first person to be accused of “destroying cultural artefacts.”
It’s also a first in that he’s pleaded guilty. “With deep regret and great pain I have to enter a guilty plea and all charges against me are accurate and correct. I am really sorry and I am really remorseful,” he told the court.
