Postponed hearing on Duterte's controversial anti-drug campaign delayed by the international court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has postponed the hearing for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who stands accused of crimes against humanity related to his years-long drug campaign. The hearing, which was scheduled for September 23, has been adjourned until the ICC can rule on a defense motion that Duterte is "not fit to stand trial."
The decision to postpone the hearing was split among the three-judge panel, with one dissenting. The court's statement mentioned that litigation regarding Duterte's fitness to participate in the pre-trial proceedings is ongoing.
Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11 and has been held at the ICC's detention unit at Scheveningen Prison since that night. During his initial hearing, which was conducted via videolink, Duterte appeared dazed and frail, barely speaking.
Kristina Conti, a lawyer representing relatives of victims from Duterte's drug war, expressed disappointment with the ICC's decision to postpone the hearing. Conti urged ICC judges to "see through the lies" and proceed to trial. She also expressed anger from some relatives because a schedule was in place and everyone was prepared.
Conti expressed hope that Duterte will face justice. She stated that the postponement indefinitely is concerning. The postponement is "limited to the time strictly necessary to determine whether Duterte is fit to follow and participate in the pre-trial proceedings."
The charges against Duterte are related to his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups say resulted in thousands of deaths. Duterte stands accused of the crime against humanity of murder related to his years-long drug campaign.
Prosecutors allege that Duterte's campaign was "part of a widespread and systematic attack directed against the civilian population in the Philippines." The ICC has not yet ruled on the defense motion regarding Duterte's fitness to stand trial.
It is important to note that the defense attorney for Duterte, Nicholas Kaufman, requested the ICC to suspend proceedings due to Duterte's alleged cognitive impairments. However, the name of the lawyer representing the relatives of victims from Duterte's drug war, who expressed disappointment with the ICC's decision, is not explicitly mentioned in the search results.
Duterte is the first Asian former head of state charged by the ICC. The postponement of his hearing adds another layer of complexity to this high-profile case. As the ICC continues to deliberate on Duterte's fitness to stand trial, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for justice for the victims of Duterte's drug war.
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