The legal team of former President Rodrigo Duterte has formally withdrawn its attempt to challenge a ruling by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that allowed lawyers representing alleged drug war victims to remain involved in the case.
In a filing submitted Tuesday before the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I, defense counsel Nicolas Kaufman announced the withdrawal of an earlier request seeking permission to appeal the tribunal’s decision.
“The Defense for Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte formally notifies Pre-Trial Chamber I of the withdrawal by the Defense of its Request for Leave to Appeal Decision,” Kaufman stated in the document.
The withdrawn appeal had aimed to overturn a February ruling that denied the defense’s bid to disqualify Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres as common legal representatives of victims, along with case manager Nicole Acaina.
Duterte’s camp previously argued that the arrangement posed a “conflict of interest” and an “impediment to representation,” but the chamber ruled that these claims were insufficient to warrant the lawyers’ removal.
Duterte has been detained in The Hague since March 11 last year, facing allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The case has now advanced to the confirmation of charges stage, a critical phase that will determine whether proceedings move forward to a full trial.