Rodrigo Duterte murder charges: Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has made his first appearance via video link at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands, where he faces murder charges linked to his “war on drugs.”
Duterte appeared at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time, where the ICC informed him of the charges against him and his rights.
The 79-year-old former leader, who was arrested in Manila earlier this week and flown to The Hague, is accused of “murder as a crime against humanity” over his violent anti-drug campaign, which led to thousands of deaths.
Judges permitted Duterte to attend the hearing remotely, citing the extensive travel involved.
“As Mr. Duterte undertook a long journey with a considerable time difference, the chamber authorized him to follow the hearing remotely,” stated presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc.
Duterte was placed on a flight from Manila late Tuesday, with the Philippines government confirming his departure. He arrived in the Netherlands on Wednesday after a stopover in Dubai, where he received medical attention.
His lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, who attended the court in person, argued that Duterte had been subjected to an “extrajudicial rendition,” calling it “pure and simple kidnapping.”
Medialdea also claimed Duterte had “debilitating medical issues,” including hearing and vision impairments that would hinder his participation in the proceedings. However, Judge Motoc dismissed the argument, stating that a court doctor had assessed Duterte and found him “fully mentally aware and fit.”
“Duterte is suspected of murder classified as a crime against humanity, allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019,” the ICC stated.
“During this period, Mr. Duterte held various positions, including President of the Philippines, Mayor of Davao City, and, allegedly, the head of the Davao Death Squad,” the court added.
The ICC cited “reasonable grounds” to believe Duterte was responsible for the murder of “at least 19 individuals, allegedly drug pushers or thieves, killed by members of the Davao Death Squad” between 2011 and 2016, as well as “at least 24 others murdered under the supervision of Philippine law enforcement, sometimes with assistance from non-police individuals,” between 2016 and 2019.
Duterte served as President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.
Official police data reports that 6,000 people were killed in the crackdown, though rights groups estimate the death toll could be as high as 30,000, with many innocent bystanders caught in the violence of Duterte’s so-called “death squads.”
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