ICC opens pre-trial hearing on Duterte drug war case
(FILE PHOTO) Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen on a screen with his lawyer Salvador Medialdea (L) in the courtroom during his first appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charge of crimes against humanity over his deadly crackdown on narcotics, in The Hague on 14 March 2025. The 79-year-old, the first ex-Asian head of state to face charges at the ICC, followed by videolink during a short hearing to inform him of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant. Duterte stands accused of the crime against humanity of murder over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups said killed thousands.
Peter Dejong / POOL / AFP
The International Criminal Court opened hearings Monday to determine whether former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte should stand trial for crimes against humanity over his deadly anti-drug campaign.
The four-day “confirmation of charges” hearing will assess whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence to move the case to trial. Judges are expected to issue a written decision within 60 days after the hearings conclude.
Duterte, 80, did not attend the session in The Hague after judges granted a defense request to waive his right to appear, despite ruling he was fit to participate.
Prosecutors have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018. The killings are linked to his anti-drug crackdown, first as mayor of Davao City and later as president from 2016 to 2022.
The first count concerns 19 murders between 2013 and 2016 in Davao City, where prosecutors allege he acted as a co-perpetrator. The second relates to 14 murders of so-called “High Value Targets” in 2016 and 2017. The third covers 43 killings during nationwide “clearance” operations targeting alleged drug users and pushers from 2016 to 2018.
Duterte was arrested in Manila in March last year and transferred to the Netherlands. He is being held at the ICC detention unit at Scheveningen Prison. He appeared by video link at an initial hearing days after his arrest.
Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said ahead of the hearing that Duterte denies the charges.
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 on Duterte’s instructions. However, judges have ruled the court retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed between 2011 and 2019. The defense has appealed that ruling.