The prosecution in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) cited his hostile remarks in the past against the court in rejecting his appeal for interim release. Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, filed an “urgent request” on June 12, citing no flight risk, no threats to proceedings, and humanitarian reasons. However, Assistant Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang argued that Duterte’s continued detention is necessary to ensure his presence at trial under Article 58(1)(b)(i) of the Rome Statute. Niang highlighted Duterte’s resistance to the ICC’s legitimacy, including his claims of being “kidnapped” by the court and his threats of violence against ICC officers. Niang also noted that Duterte’s statements and his network of powerful allies in the Philippines raise concerns about his commitment to returning for trial. The prosecution disagreed with the defense’s choice of custodial state for potential interim release, stating it lacks a history of cooperation with the ICC. Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity related to murders during his “war on drugs” as president and Davao City mayor.
