ICC rejects Philippines ex-president Duterte’s request for release
The court dismissed defence arguments that the 80-year-old should be released due to his advanced age and alleged declining health
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will remain in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) after appeals judges on Friday rejected a request to release him on health grounds.
The 80-year-old is facing charges of crimes against humanity for his alleged involvement in dozens of killings as part of his so-called war on drugs when in office, first as the mayor of a southern city and later as president.
Duterte’s lawyers failed to show that an October decision by the lower chamber was unreasonable, Judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza said, addressing the full courtroom in The Hague.
The former president was not in court on Friday.
Last month, judges decided to keep Duterte in custody, finding that he was likely to refuse to return for trial and could use his freedom to intimidate witnesses.
According to court filings, Duterte instructed and authorised “violent acts including murder to be committed against alleged criminals, including alleged drug dealers and users.” The charges against him date from November 1, 2011, when he was still mayor of the southern city of Davao, to March 16, 2019, when the country withdrew from the court.