Former Philippine President Duterte Requests ICC Skip In-Person Pre-Trial Hearing Due to Age and Frailty
TheWkly Analysis
Former president Rodrigo Duterte has made a last-minute request not to attend his confirmation of charges hearings in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) (a permanent court in The Hague that prosecutes individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression). The request was made in a letter typed for him on Tuesday, February 17, and submitted by his lawyer Nicholas Kaufman to the ICC on Wednesday, February 18. Duterte stated, 'I do not wish to attend legal proceedings that I will forget within minutes. I am old, tired, and frail. I wish for this Court to respect my peace inside the cell it has placed me.' The first day of the confirmation of charges hearing is set for Monday, February 23. The ICC pre-trial chamber judges have until Friday, February 20 to decide on the request. According to ICC rules, the pre-trial chamber could proceed with the hearings without Duterte if they find basis to do so, or deny the request and order his attendance.
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Key Entities
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Rodrigo Duterte Person
Former president of the Philippines facing ICC charges related to his anti-drug campaign.
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International Criminal Court (ICC) Organization
Hague-based court investigating serious international crimes, handling Duterte's pre-trial hearings.
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Nicholas Kaufman Person
Duterte's lawyer who submitted the request letter to the ICC.
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The Hague Place
Dutch city hosting the ICC where Duterte's hearings are scheduled.
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Confirmation of charges hearing Concept
ICC pre-trial phase determining if charges against an accused proceed to full trial.
Multi-Perspective Analysis
Left-Leaning View
Frames Duterte's request as evasive tactic delaying accountability for human rights abuses in the drug war.
Centrist View
Reports procedural details factually, noting ICC rules allow flexibility without strong editorial slant.
Right-Leaning View
Highlights Duterte's health plea sympathetically, questioning ICC jurisdiction over a sovereign nation's former leader.
Source & Verification
Source: Rappler RSS
Status: AI Processed
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