The Hague — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has formally requested temporary release from the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center in The Hague, according to a legal filing dated June 12.
Duterte's lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, revealed that an undisclosed country — which is a signatory to the Rome Statute — has agreed to receive the former president. The defense emphasized that Duterte does not pose a flight risk and would comply fully with the conditions of his release.
“Mr. Duterte is not a flight risk, and custody is not necessary to ensure his appearance before the Court,” the filing stated. Kaufman also assured the court that Duterte “would not embarrass his hosts” by breaching any terms of release.
The defense further argued that Duterte would no longer pose a threat of committing crimes if released, as he would be residing far from the Philippines, where the alleged offenses took place during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Importantly, the prosecution reportedly does not oppose the interim release, provided that certain conditions are imposed and followed.
“He does not pose an objective risk of flight, nor is his arrest necessary to ensure the integrity of the investigations,” Kaufman added. “He must, as a result, be immediately released from ICC custody.”
Duterte has been detained at the ICC Detention Centre in Scheveningen, The Hague, since March. The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I is expected to make a decision on the request after reviewing submissions from all parties, including the victims’ representatives.
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