Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila and taken to the International Criminal Court in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity related to the mass killings in his war on drugs. Duterte was arrested at the airport as he returned from a trip to Hong Kong and was flown to the Netherlands. Upon arrival, he will be held at a Dutch prison complex that houses special UN prisoners. Protesters and supporters gathered outside the ICC as Duterte arrived, with emotions running high.
The ICC had opened an inquiry into the mass killings linked to Duterte’s war on drugs in 2021. Estimates of the death toll range from 6,000 to 30,000. ICC judges found reasonable grounds to believe that Duterte was individually responsible for the crime against humanity of murder. Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, but the court ruled in 2023 that the investigation could resume.
Duterte will have a hearing to confirm his identity, understand the charges against him, and set a date for a confirmation of charges hearing. He can challenge the court’s jurisdiction and the admissibility of the case. The process could take months, and a trial could take years. Duterte may apply for provisional release while he waits, pending the court’s decision. The arrest of Duterte is a significant development in the case against him and has stirred emotions in the Philippines about accountability and justice.
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