The first presence of Rodrigo Dute in the International Criminal Court is scheduled for Friday, the court said, as the former President of the former Philippines faces crimes against humanity’s allegations on his deadly war on drugs.
The court said in a late statement on Thursday, “The Chamber considers Sri Dutert to be suitable for being on Friday, 14 March 2025 on 14:00 hours (1300 GMT) on Friday, 14 March 2025.”
The 79 -year -old will appear before the judges for a hearing, where they will be informed about the offenses who have been accused, as well as their rights as a defendant.
Duterte has alleged a crime against humanity of murder on his year -long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups stated that thousands of people were killed.
When he landed in the Hague, the former leader appeared to accept the responsibility for his actions, said in a Facebook video: “I am telling the police, the army, that it was my job and I am responsible.”
In Manila, Duterte’s stunning arrest came amid a brilliant recession in relations between his family and the Marcos family, which had earlier joined the army to run the Philippines.
The current President Ferdinand Marcos and Vice President Sarah Dute-Rodrigo’s daughter-Loggerheads, later facing an impeachment test on allegations, including a conspiracy to kill an alleged murder against Marcos.
Sarah Dutee is to support her father in the Netherlands, after her arrest “harassment and harassment”, the Duterte family sought an emergency prohibition from the Supreme Court to stop their transfer.
But the victims of “War on Drugs” hope that Duterte will eventually face justice for his perceived crimes.
Gilbert Andres, a lawyer representing the victims of drug war, told AFP: “My customers are very grateful to God because their prayers have been responded to.”
“Rodrigo Dutee’s arrest is a great sign for international criminal justice. This means no one is above the law,” Andres said.
– ‘Estimated innocent’ –
The high-profile dutarte case also comes in a significant moment for the ICC, as it faces unprecedented pressure from all sides, including US sanctions.
Last month, US President Donald Trump imposed restrictions in the court that what he had said was “the illegitimate and baseless action that targeted the US and our close aide Israel.”
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yov Galant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza War.
Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan arrested Dutee as an important moment for the victims and international justice.
“Many people say that international law is not as strong as we want, and I agree with it. But as I also emphasize again and again, international law is not as weak as something can think,” Khan said in a statement after the arrival of Dutert in ICC custody.
“When we come together … when we form a partnership, the law of the law can be strong. The warrant can be executed,” he said.
In the initial hearing, a suspected ICC may request to pending the interim release a test.
After that first hearing, the next phase is a session to confirm the allegations, the point at which a suspected prosecutor can challenge evidence.
Only after that hearing will the court decide whether to proceed with a trial, a process that can take several months or even years.
Khan said, “It is important to underline, because we now start a new phase of action, that Mr. Duterte is considered innocent,” Khan said.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)
