Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team has filed an urgent request before the International Criminal Court (ICC) seeking his interim release to an undisclosed country, which has reportedly agreed to host him during the trial proceedings.
The 16-page request, signed by Duterte’s counsel Nicholas Kaufman and made public on the ICC’s website with key details redacted, said the unnamed country had shown “principled willingness” to cooperate with the court and accept Duterte under specified conditions. Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to deaths during his anti-drug campaign as both mayor of Davao City and president of the Philippines.
According to Kaufman, the ICC prosecution has confirmed it does not oppose Duterte’s interim release, provided that all conditions outlined in an annex to the filing are met.
“Mr. Duterte does not meet any of the conditions to warrant further pre-trial detention as provided in Article 58(1)(b),” the request read. “He does not pose an objective risk of flight, nor is his arrest necessary to ensure the integrity of the investigations or to preclude the continued commission of crimes.”
Duterte, who turned 80 this year, was arrested in Manila on March 11, transferred to ICC custody the next day, and has since been held at the ICC Detention Center. Kaufman noted that Duterte appeared “visibly fatigued” when he attended a tribunal session via video call on March 14.
The defense also requested a shortened deadline for responses to the interim release motion, though the reasons were redacted in the posted document.
Kaufman said discussions regarding interim release began immediately after Duterte’s initial appearance before the court and continued even as the chief prosecutor went on leave. A meeting on June 9 with representatives of the unnamed government led to their agreement to host Duterte, and the country has expressed readiness to submit formal observations if asked by the pre-trial chamber.
The legal team argued that humanitarian considerations, Duterte’s age, and his recognizability worldwide all support his interim release, noting that any escape attempt would be “unrealistic” and “easily traced.”
“[Redacted] represents a stable and suitable environment in keeping with Mr Duterte’s [redacted],” the document stated. “Its agreement to host Mr Duterte demonstrates its commitment to actively cooperate with the court, ensuring a balance between the right to a fair trial and accountability.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
