International Criminal Court Begins Trial of Former Malian Islamic Police Chief

The war crimes trial of the former head of the Islamic police in the Malian city of Timbuktu has started at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud headed the Islamic police when it was under the control of Islamist militants in 2012.

He has been charged in the Hague with war crimes, crimes against humanity, rape and sexual slavery.

Girls were allegedly forced to marry militants.

The Islamic police commanders are also believed to have ordered the destruction of historic monuments and buildings dedicated to Islam.