Closing summary
Philippine ex-president Rodrigo Duterte appeared by video link before judges at the international criminal court. He followed the proceedings through a video link.
The judge said that Duterte had been allowed to participate in his first ICC hearing by videoconference because he had just come off a long flight. Duterte, wearing a jacket and tie, listened to the hearing through headphones, often with his eyes closed. He spoke in English to confirm his name, and his date and place of birth.
Presiding judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc set a pre-trial hearing date of 23 September to establish if prosecution evidence is strong enough to merit sending the case to trial. If a trial does go ahead, it could take years, and if Duterte is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, AP reported.
Duterte’s lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, said that his client had been “abducted from his country”. “He was summarily transported to The Hague,” Medialdea said. “To lawyers it’s extrajudicial rendition. For less legal minds, it’s pure and simple kidnapping.” His lawyer called Duterte’s arrest “political score-settling” in the Philippines. Medialdea said that Duterte had been under observation at a hospital because of health issues.
Duterte’s children have been trying to rally support for their father over recent days, accusing the Philippines government of undermining the country’s sovereignty by complying with the arrest warrant, and demanding that he be returned. His eldest daughter, Sara Duterte, who is the vice-president, has travelled to the ICC and is expected to speak to media outside the court later today. Duterte’s youngest daughter Veronica, who has posted frequently about her father’s arrest on social media, has called for people to light a candle in support.
Thanks for following along. That’s all from me, Tom Ambrose, and this blog for today.
Duterte faces hearing in September to decide if case will go to trial
Presiding judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc set a pre-trial hearing date of 23 September to establish if prosecution evidence is strong enough to merit sending the case to trial.
If a trial does go ahead, it could take years, and if Duterte is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, AP reported.
Duterte’s lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, said that his client had been “abducted from his country.”
“He was summarily transported to The Hague,” Medialdea said. “To lawyers it’s extrajudicial rendition. For less legal minds, it’s pure and simple kidnapping.”
His lawyer called Duterte’s arrest “political score-settling” in the Philippines. Medialdea said that Duterte had been under observation at a hospital because of health issues.
The judge, addressing Duterte, said: “The court doctor was of the opinion that you were fully mentally aware and fit.”
Duterte, the first former Asian leader detained by the ICC, was read his rights and formally informed of the charges of crimes against humanity that the court’s prosecutors filed against him after a lengthy investigation.
The hearing, which started about a half-hour late, lasted about 30 minutes.
