Inside Rody’s likely detention cell at ICC

Former President Rodrigo Duterte, like most high-profile leaders before him, will be housed at the International Criminal Court Detention Centre in Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands.

Managed by the ICC Registrar, the facility ensures the mental, physical and spiritual welfare of detainees.

Each detainee at the facility is housed in an individual cell equipped with a bed, desk, shelves, and a private bathroom. The cells have windows for natural light, and detainees are allowed to personalize their space within reasonable limits.

Detainees have access to a computer linked to the ICC’s secure e-Court system, enabling them to review legal documents, communicate with their defense team, and prepare for their case. The computer is restricted to legal work, accessible only to the detainee and their defense team.

The facility includes a gym and a basketball court, allowing detainees regular access to outdoor recreation and fresh air, essential for physical and mental health.

Detainees also have access to a library, a spiritual room for religious practices, and media such as television and news. These resources support both their educational and spiritual needs.

Onsite medical staff provide healthcare services, including mental health support, adhering to international health standards. Medical care is available to all detainees.

Detainees are allowed regular visits from family members and have the right to communicate with their country’s diplomatic representatives in designated areas.

Meals are provided based on dietary preferences, and detainees may purchase ingredients and cook their own meals using an approved shopping list.

Detainees are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If convicted, they will be transferred to a state-designated facility to serve their sentence under an agreement between the ICC and the host country.

Duterte joins a roster of prominent figures who have been held at the ICC Detention Centre while awaiting trial:

• Slobodan Miloševi, the former president of Yugoslavia, who was detained at the facility while facing charges of war crimes and genocide. He died in 2006 before his trial concluded.

• Thomas Lubanga, the Congolese warlord convicted in 2012 of using child soldiers, who was the first person sentenced by the ICC.

• Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president, who stood trial for war crimes related to the Sierra Leone Civil War and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

• Radovan Karadži, the former Bosnian Serb leader, who was detained after being charged with genocide and war crimes during the Bosnian War and was sentenced to life imprisonment.