The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has set November 28 as the date for the release of its decision on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal seeking temporary liberty.
On September 26, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I denied Duterte’s request for interim release as he faces charges of crimes against humanity, citing the risk of flight and insufficient humanitarian grounds.
In the appeal filed on October 14, Duterte’s defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, argued that the former president has no ability to flee due to his age, medical condition, and declining health.
“Mr. Duterte has neither the desire nor capacity to flee or to return to a life of power or politics. He merely seeks interim release in a country where he can participate in the confirmation proceedings in a setting conducive to his proven weak state of mental and physical health,” the appeal stated.
Duterte’s camp urged the Appeals Chamber to overturn the earlier ruling and grant his immediate interim release.