The affirmation listening to marks a pivotal step that can decide whether or not the case proceeds to trial.
The aim of the four-day listening to, happening in The Hague, is to find out whether or not there are “substantial grounds to imagine” that Mr. Duterte dedicated the crimes charged by the ICC Prosecutor.
“The Chamber shall not take any determination with regard to the guilt or innocence of Mr. Duterte throughout this listening to,” mentioned Iulia Antoanella Motoc, the Presiding Decide.
The 80-year-old former chief additionally beforehand served as Mayor and Vice Mayor of Davao Metropolis – one of many largest within the nation.
He’s suspected of crimes against humanity of homicide and tried homicide allegedly dedicated between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019.
The fees and arrest
In line with the prosecution, the case contains three counts of crimes against humanity: murders in or round Davao Metropolis throughout his mayoral interval allegedly carried out by the so-called “Davao Demise Squad”; murders of so-called “high-value targets” throughout his presidential interval; and murders and tried murders in barangay (the bottom administrative division) clearance operations throughout his presidency.
“Mr. Duterte and his co-perpetrators shared a typical plan to neutralise alleged criminals within the Philippines…by means of violent crimes, together with homicide,” the courtroom officer mentioned, studying out the prosecution’s costs.
An arrest warrant was issued beneath seal on 7 March 2025 and reclassified 4 days later. On 12 March, Mr. Duterte was surrendered to the Court docket after being arrested by Philippine authorities. He stays on the ICC Detention Centre in Scheveningen within the Netherlands.
Burden of proof
ICC suspects are presumed harmless until confirmed responsible past cheap doubt.
“The burden of proof is upon the OTP (Workplace of the ICC Prosecutor), which should produce enough proof to show the fees against Mr. Duterte on the required commonplace of proof,” mentioned Decide Motoc.
Sufferer participation
On the listening to, prosecutors – represented by Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang and senior trial attorneys – should assist every cost with enough proof. Mr. Duterte’s defence staff – led by Nicholas Kaufman – may also current arguments.
The authorized representatives of the 539 victims will lay out their circumstances earlier than the judges.
What occurs subsequent
Inside 60 calendar days after the listening to concludes, the judges will challenge a written determination on whether or not to proceed.
They might verify some or all the costs and commit the case to trial earlier than a Trial Chamber; decline to substantiate the fees and halt proceedings; or adjourn the listening to and request further proof or amendments.
The Worldwide Felony Court docket
The ICC is a everlasting worldwide tribunal based mostly in The Hague that prosecutes people accused of the gravest crimes beneath worldwide legislation, together with genocide, crimes against humanity, conflict crimes and the crime of aggression.
It was established by the Rome Statute, a treaty adopted in 1998 and entered into pressure in 2002, which units out the Court docket’s jurisdiction, powers and procedures and binds the States which have ratified it.
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