Lawyers say Duterte was 'kidnapped'.

(CLO) Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in his home country on March 11 and transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague (Netherlands) in a weakened state of health.

Duterte, 79, was arrested in Manila and subsequently flown to the Netherlands on March 13. At his first hearing on March 14, he appeared via video link from a detention facility near the ICC. When questioned, Duterte only confirmed his identity and date of birth, his voice sounding weak.

This marks the first time a former Asian head of state has been brought to trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Screenshot of Rodrigo Duterte attending the court hearing via video link.

Attorney Salvador Medialdea, representing President Duterte, argued that the former president's arrest and extradition constituted "blatant kidnapping." He asserted that his client suffers from numerous serious health problems, including chronic neuromuscular disorders, back pain, migraines, and blood vessel blockages. For these reasons, Duterte is deemed physically unfit to stand trial.

However, Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc refuted this argument, asserting that the court physician had examined and confirmed that Duterte was "fully lucid and fit to stand trial." She also stated that issues related to Duterte's health and extradition could be debated in later hearings.

Meanwhile, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, President Duterte's daughter, was present at the trial as an observer. Earlier, she called the arrest an act of political repression and announced she would file a request to move the trial to a different location.

Duterte is accused of orchestrating a heavy-handed crackdown on drug crime that lasted from 2011 to 2019, when he was mayor of Davao and later president of the Philippines. According to official Philippine police figures, at least 6,000 people died in this campaign.

Duterte's trial will resume on September 23, when judges will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a formal trial. If convicted, Duterte could face life imprisonment.

However, many experts believe that the trial of Duterte could drag on for years. The ICC lacks law enforcement capabilities, so if the Philippines refuses to cooperate, enforcing the sentence will be very difficult.

Cao Phong (according to ICC, DW, CNA)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cuu-tong-thong-philippines-duterte-suc-khoe-suy-yeu-du-phien-toa-icc-qua-hinh-thuc-truc-tuyen-post338640.html