Duterte in person at ICC for first time
dpaThe HagueFormer Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appeared in person for the first time at the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he is charged with crimes against...
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made his first in-person appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday, facing charges of crimes against humanity for drug-related killings during his tenure. The court transferred Duterte to The Hague in March 2025, where he is accused of creating, funding, and arming death squads that targeted drug users and dealers.
Denying the allegations, Duterte claims he only ordered police to act in self-defense as part of his anti-drug campaign. At the hearing, the 81-year-old remained silent, focusing on his health, evidence disclosure, and the trial's timeline. Judges ruled in January that Duterte was fit to stand trial, but his lawyers now argue cognitive decline has left him unfit to participate.
In a recent filing, the defense highlighted serious memory loss, stating that he cannot absorb new information or reliably recall the past. Despite this, judges initially permitted his presence in proceedings. The trial, set to begin on November 30, is now facing uncertainty due to Duterte's continuing health concerns.
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