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ICC Keeps Former Philippine President Duterte in Detention
(MENAFN) The International Criminal Court has decided to keep former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in custody in The Hague as preparations continue for his upcoming trial.
ICC Trial Chamber III issued the decision Wednesday after Duterte appeared before the court in person for the first time since being transferred there last year.
The chamber pointed to several recent developments in the case, including the planned opening of his trial on Nov. 30, assessments from court-appointed medical experts regarding his ability to stand trial, and the prosecution's disclosure of evidence and filing of its trial brief.
According to the chamber, these developments increase the possibility that Duterte will face trial. The decision also cited concerns that a potential conviction and lengthy sentence could increase the risk of him "absconding and/or obstructing or endangering the investigation or the court proceedings."
Duterte, 81, attended a hearing focused on preparations for the proceedings, including questions surrounding his health and his ability to participate in the trial.
His legal team has maintained that cognitive decline has affected his fitness to stand trial. However, the chamber said the medical assessments submitted by the appointed experts did not provide sufficient grounds to change his detention status.
"As regards the fitness issue, (although a decision of the Chamber is currently pending), the Chamber finds that the Panel’s Reports do not contain any information that warrants a modification of the Accused’s detention," said the Chamber.
ICC Trial Chamber III issued the decision Wednesday after Duterte appeared before the court in person for the first time since being transferred there last year.
The chamber pointed to several recent developments in the case, including the planned opening of his trial on Nov. 30, assessments from court-appointed medical experts regarding his ability to stand trial, and the prosecution's disclosure of evidence and filing of its trial brief.
According to the chamber, these developments increase the possibility that Duterte will face trial. The decision also cited concerns that a potential conviction and lengthy sentence could increase the risk of him "absconding and/or obstructing or endangering the investigation or the court proceedings."
Duterte, 81, attended a hearing focused on preparations for the proceedings, including questions surrounding his health and his ability to participate in the trial.
His legal team has maintained that cognitive decline has affected his fitness to stand trial. However, the chamber said the medical assessments submitted by the appointed experts did not provide sufficient grounds to change his detention status.
"As regards the fitness issue, (although a decision of the Chamber is currently pending), the Chamber finds that the Panel’s Reports do not contain any information that warrants a modification of the Accused’s detention," said the Chamber.
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