ICC says Philippine ex-president Duterte fit to stand trial

The International Criminal Court (ICC) declared former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte capable of standing trial for alleged crimes against humanity, according to a statement released Thursday. The 81-year-old, who ruled the country between 2016 and 2022, is set to begin his trial on November 30th. The court's decision was based on assessments from an independent panel of experts and input from various parties involved in the proceedings.

The experts concluded that Duterte had the mental capacity to comprehend the charges, grasp the purpose and ramifications of the trial, follow its course, understand the evidence, and effectively collaborate with his legal counsel. This marks the first instance of an Asian former head of state facing trial at the ICC, which prosecutes individuals for egregious crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity.