Politics · Singapore Bureau
Duterte faces ICC fitness assessment in drug war murder case
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is set to make his first public appearance at the International Criminal Court since his transfer 18 months ago. Judges will determine whether he is fit to stand trial on murder charges stemming from his controversial anti-drug campaign.
LSN Singapore ·
THE HAGUE — Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is expected to appear before the International Criminal Court on Wednesday for proceedings to assess his fitness to face trial on murder charges related to his aggressive war on drugs.
The appearance marks Duterte's first public outing since his transfer to the ICC's custody in The Hague 18 months earlier. The assessment will determine whether the 79-year-old former leader is physically and mentally capable of participating in the murder trial proceedings.
Duterte has been accused of orchestrating a systematic campaign against suspected drug dealers and users during his presidency from 2016 to 2022. Human rights organizations have documented thousands of deaths resulting from the anti-drug operations, which became one of his administration's defining policies. The ICC launched an investigation into allegations that these killings amounted to crimes against humanity.
The former leader's transfer to the ICC's custody followed the Philippine government's decision to cooperate with the international court's investigation. His appearance on Wednesday will provide the first opportunity for observers to assess his condition as legal proceedings advance toward trial.