ICC to rule on provisional release of ex-Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte

"International Criminal Court (ICC) appeals judges are set to rule on a request to release from detention former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has ongoing proceedings against him on charges of crimes against humanity. The judges are scheduled to issue their ruling on Friday, paving the way for a possible provisional freedom of the ageing politician a move strongly opposed by human rights groups and families of victims of his brutal drug war."

"Prosecutors at the ICC say Duterte was involved 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 from 2016 to 2022. According to court filings, Duterte instructed and authorised violent acts including murder to be committed against alleged criminals, including alleged drug dealers and users."

Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court will rule on a request to release former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte from detention. Duterte faces ongoing proceedings on charges of crimes against humanity related to killings during his time as mayor and president between 2016 and 2022. Prosecutors allege he instructed and authorised violent acts, including murder, against alleged drug dealers and users. His legal team appeals a decision keeping him in custody after judges found he might refuse to return for trial and could intimidate witnesses. Estimates of the death toll during his presidency range from over 6,000 according to police to up to 30,000 claimed by rights groups. He has been in detention in The Hague for more than eight months.

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