The International Criminal Court has turned down the appeal of former president Rodrigo Duterte to dismiss his crimes against humanity case.
In a ruling released yesterday (April 22, Manila time), the ICC Appeals Chamber said all arguments raised by Duterte’s camp were rejected.
The former president’s lawyers argued that the ICC no longer had authority over him since the Philippines officially withdrew from the court in 2019, two years before the probe began. But the tribunal stood firm, saying it still has jurisdiction because the alleged crimes happened while the country was still a member.
Presiding Judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza said that with the appeal denied, Duterte’s request for “immediate and unconditional release” no longer holds weight.
Now, all eyes are on the Pre-Trial Chamber’s next move -- whether it will formally send the case to trial.
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