Duterte returns to ICC courtroom as trial for crimes against humanity nears

The International Criminal Court (ICC) welcomed the first in-person appearance by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte today. At the age of 81, Duterte faced charges related to his "war on drugs" which allegedly resulted in the deaths of thousands of people. Previously, he had only appeared via video link at his initial appearance in The Hague.

Dressed in a dark suit and white shirt without a tie, Duterte sat with his chin resting on his hands during the proceedings. He remained seated throughout the one-hour and fifteen-minute hearing, showing no emotion and following the proceedings through headphones. The judge, Joanna Korner, noted his presence in court for the first time and stated that he could leave at any time without seeking permission.

However, Duterte chose to stay throughout the hearing. The trial is set to begin on November 30 and could take months or even years. The defense team expressed challenges in preparing for the trial given the vast amount of evidence, estimated to be around 15,000 pieces by the prosecution and over 62,000 by the defense. The judge has ordered a medical assessment by three experts to determine Duterte's mental fitness to stand trial.

The defense claims that Duterte suffers from significant memory impairment, leading him to believe he is living in 2007 or 2008, that he is 84 or 85 years old, and that he cannot recall the name of the current US president.