UNESCO says ISIS destruction of Nimrud 'a war crime'

(ANSA) - Paris, March 6 - UNESCO, the UN agency tasked with protecting and promoting world cultural heritage, on Friday denounced the destruction of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud by Islamic State (ISIS) fighters.
    "The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage constitutes a war crime. I call on all political and religious leaders in the region to stand up and remind everyone that there is absolutely no political or religious justification for the destruction of humanity's cultural heritage," said UNESCO General Director Irina Bokova.
    On Thursday, ISIS militants bulldozed the archeological site dating back to the 13th century BC as part of their belief that ancient artefacts are "false idols" that have to be destroyed.