A judge in the International Criminal Court allowed former president Rodrigo Duterte to appear via video call in his trial’s opening session.
The judge allowed the excuse based on the long distance Duterte, 79, traveled to reach The Hague.
He was before being flown to the Netherlands.
On the video call, he confirmed his identity and was read his rights and informed of the charges against him by the prosecution.
Outside the courthouse, supporters of the accused ex-president gathered to protest his arraignment.
Duterte’s lawyer said the man was “abducted from his country” and called the arrest “extrajudicial rendition… it’s pure and simple kidnapping.”
His daughter and current vice president Sara Duterte was among the supporters. She said she intends to visit her imprisoned father and to make a formal request that his trial be moved. She had previously labeled the arrest as “oppression and persecution” by the court.
Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan emphasized his belief that the court is doing the right thing in arresting Duterte.
“Many say that international law is not as strong as we want, and I agree with that. But as I also repeatedly emphasize, international law is not as weak as some might think.”
The court has scheduled a pretrial hearing for September 23rd, when they will determine if there is enough evidence to continue with a full trial.
If convicted, he would face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. He is the first Asian head of state to be charged at the court.
What is Duterte accused of?
Duterte served as mayor of Davao City from 2013 to 2016 before then serving as President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.
The crimes are said to have been committed from 2011 to 2019.
While mayor and later president, he oversaw a brutal war on drugs where police and “death squads” are said to have been ordered to .
Duterte allegedly sanctioned the killings himself. Prosecutors say he recruited and paid the squads, and “provided them with the necessary weapons and resources, and promised to shield them from prosecution.”
Official police estimates put the death toll during this period to be more than 6,000.
Human rights groups believe the actual number is closer to 30,000.
Edited by Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
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