Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appears at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, facing murder allegations over his deadly "war on drugs." Arrested on an ICC warrant, he is the first Asian ex-head of state to stand trial for crimes against humanity.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte makes his first appearance at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Friday, where he faces murder allegations stemming from his "war on drugs".
Duterte arrived in the Netherlands on a flight from Manila on Wednesday and was taken into ICC custody after being arrested by authorities on an International Criminal Court warrant.
Prosecutors have accused him of crimes against humanity for what they call a systematic attack on the civilian population.
Thousands of purported drug dealers and users were killed during the crackdown, when death squads he allegedly created and armed carried out widespread extrajudicial killings.
The 79-year-old arrived at Rotterdam airport on a chartered plane Wednesday and was transferred to a detention unit on the Dutch coast up the road from the ICC building. In video message on social media, Duterte took responsibility for his actions.
Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, is set to be the first Asian former head of state to go on trial at the ICC, a court of last resort created more than two decades ago to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, aggression and genocide.
During an initial appearance, judges usually summarise the allegations against a suspect, who will not be asked to enter a plea. Duterte will be represented by a court-appointed defence council and his former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea.
The ageing former president will also be asked about his condition and the conditions in detention.
Duterte has said that he suffers from a series of ailments including a chronic neuromuscular disorder, back problems, migraines and a condition that can cause blockages in the blood vessels.
Duterte's surrender to the court marks a big victory for Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who faces U.S. sanctions over his arrest warrant for Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu.
After the initial appearance, the court will likely set a confirmation of charges hearing in several months, when prosecutors can present part of their evidence and judges decide what charges can be in the indictment. A trial would not be expected to start until early 2026.
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U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak soon in an effort to resolve a growing dispute over critical minerals.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
Ukraine has carried out one of its largest drone strikes of the war, reportedly hitting more than 40 Russian military aircraft at multiple air bases, a Ukrainian security official told Reuters on Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Ukraine will attend a meeting in Istanbul on Monday, following a proposal from Russia.
Flash floods in central Nigeria have killed at least 151 people, with authorities warning the toll may rise further as search and rescue operations continue in the flood-ravaged town of Mokwa, Niger State.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak soon in an effort to resolve a growing dispute over critical minerals.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
Ukraine has carried out one of its largest drone strikes of the war, reportedly hitting more than 40 Russian military aircraft at multiple air bases, a Ukrainian security official told Reuters on Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Ukraine will attend a meeting in Istanbul on Monday, following a proposal from Russia.
Flash floods in central Nigeria have killed at least 151 people, with authorities warning the toll may rise further as search and rescue operations continue in the flood-ravaged town of Mokwa, Niger State.
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