ICC unveils war crimes charge for `callous` Timbuktu attack

Timbuktu: Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court on Tuesday accused a Malian jihadist of war crimes for "a callous" attack on the world heritage site of Timbuktu.

"We must stand up to the destruction and defacing of our common heritage," chief ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda as she unveiled a single war crimes charge against Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, saying it was incumbent on the tribunal to ensure that those responsible for destroying ancient shrines at the UNESCO-protected site in 2012 are punished.