The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has upheld an earlier ruling keeping former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte in detention, rejecting the appeal filed by his defense team.
In a judgment issued on March 6, the chamber affirmed the January 26 decision of ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, which found no new or changed circumstances to justify modifying Duterte’s detention while proceedings continue.
Duterte’s lawyers argued that the lower chamber erred in disregarding a medical report they submitted concerning his health condition.
However, the Appeals Chamber ruled that the document did not present new information, noting that the cited medical practitioners had not conducted a fresh examination and that the report largely relied on findings previously made by court-appointed experts.
The judges stressed that while medical information can help assess a detainee’s health, determining risks such as flight, interference with investigations, or continuation of alleged crimes is ultimately a legal matter for the court.
As a result, the chamber dismissed all defense arguments and affirmed Duterte’s continued detention.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity involving murder and attempted murder allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, in connection with the government’s anti-drug campaign.
The confirmation of charges hearing concluded on February 27, with judges now deliberating on whether the case will proceed to trial.