The International Criminal court says a Muslim radical found guilty of destroying World Heritage-listed cultural sites in the Malian city of Timbuktu must pay 2.7 million euros ($3.2 million) in reparations. 


The court in the Netherlands ruled Thursday that Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi had caused damage to the nine mausoleums and a mosque door in 2012, and caused economic losses and moral harm to victims -- primarily the people of Timbuktu. 


At a previous hearing, Al Mahdi pleaded guilty and expressed remorse for his role in leading the destruction, and urged Muslims around the world not to commit similar acts. 


Al Mahdi led pickax-wielding rebels who wrecked the simple mud-brick mausoleums covering the saints’ tombs in June and July 2012 in the famed city. 


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Source: NNA