The prosecution used former President Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyer’s “kidnapped” remark to oppose his request for interim release from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In the 15-page response of ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, it was stated that aside from Duterte’s family, even Defense Lead Counsel Nicholas Kaufman believed that the former President was kidnapped.
Because of this, the prosecution argued that the request for interim release should be denied since it indicates that the former President may not return to court.
The documents stated, “Mr. Duterte’s counsel and family have claimed that he was kidnapped by the court and vowed to bring him home to the Philippines.”
According to the ICC prosecution, this is proof that the former President’s camp does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction.
The document further stated, “A victim of kidnapping is unlikely to return to the custody of the kidnapper if given an opportunity to escape.”
Prior to this, the defense team requested the court to grant Duterte interim release after an ICC member country agreed to take him into their custody.
They also cited in their request that the former president promised to appear in court hearings and that he does not pose a threat to the complainants and witnesses.
The defense team also claimed the former president should be released for humanitarian consideration since he is already 80 years old with health conditions.
The request for interim release is expected to be decided ahead of the scheduled confirmation of charges of the Duterte case on September 23.
Duterte is facing crimes against humanity charges before the ICC for his war on drugs campaign that resulted to the alleged deaths of thousands people during his time as president of the Philippines.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.