Ex-Philippines leader Duterte to appear before ICC for first time
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was set to appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands on Friday, the court said.
The 79-year-old, who landed in the Netherlands on Wednesday, is accused of crimes against humanity amid the "war on drugs" during his time in power, including the murder of at least 43 people between 2011 and 2019.
The court in The Hague said in a Thursday statement that Duterte would make his initial appearance at 2 pm (1300 GMT). The hearing was set to be streamed with a 30-minute delay.
"During the initial appearance hearing, the judges will verify the identity of the suspect and the language in which he is able to follow the proceedings," the court said.
"He will be informed of the charges against him and of his rights under the ICC Rome Statute."
The former Philippines leader was detained at the airport in Manila on Tuesday on a warrant issued by the ICC, and flown out of the capital in a chartered aircraft the same day, with a stopover in Dubai. He was surrendered to the custody of the ICC on Wednesday, the court said.
Duterte was president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, during which time he led a ruthless fight against drug-related crime.
Police figures show that around 6,000 people were killed during the drug campaign, but human rights organizations estimate that the number was as high as 30,000.
Suspects were often executed without trial.
The arrest warrant states that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Duterte was individually responsible for murders that may be considered crimes against humanity, first as mayor of the city of Davao and later as president.
It will likely take a few months before the indictment is examined in a preliminary hearing.
The ICC has been investigating the alleged crimes in the Philippines since 2018.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man pleads guilty to manslaughter of pensioner
A man who was previously charged with murder after the death of a man in his 70s has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Daniel Gonzalez, from Oxford Road in Garsington, Oxfordshire, was charged in connection with an incident that took place at a property in Garsington shortly after 22:00 GMT on 15 December. The 40-year-old appeared earlier at Oxford Crown Court on Monday and remains in custody. He is due to be sentenced at the same court on 13 June. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Murder charge after death of man in his 70s Murder inquiry launched in village after man's death
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Canada promises to boost defense spending, meet NATO target much earlier
By Wa Lone TORONTO (Reuters) -Canada's Liberal government will pour extra billions into its armed forces and hit NATO's 2% military spending target this fiscal year, five years earlier than promised, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Monday. Canada has been under pressure from the United States and other NATO allies for years to increase military funding. Canada currently spends about 1.4% of GDP on defense. "Now is the time to act with urgency, force, and determination," Carney said in a speech in Toronto, reiterating promises to work more closely with Europe's defense industry. Carney won the April 28 election on a promise to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and also to reduce the country's military reliance on Washington. Carney said another reason for Ottawa to act was what he called the decision by the United States to gradually withdraw from the concept of collective security. "Rising great powers are now in strategic competition with America. A new imperialism threatens. Middle powers compete for interests and attention, knowing that if they are not at the table, they will be on the menu," he said. The previous Liberal government last year formally committed to hit the NATO target by 2032. During the election campaign Carney pledged to get to 2% by 2030. Canada will boost pay for the armed forces and buy new submarines, aircraft, ships, armed vehicles and artillery, as well as new radar, drones and sensors to monitor the sea floor and the Arctic, Carney said. "The transformation of our military capabilities can help transform our economy," he said. Officials are due to give more details of the plan before Carney speaks to the media at 1 p.m. Eastern Time (1700 GMT). (Additional reporting by Nilutpal Timsina in Bengaluru and Promit Mukherjee; writing by David Ljunggren; editing by Rod Nickel)
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Dangerous drink-driver' who killed woman jailed
A "dangerous drink-driver" who killed a woman and seriously injured another has been jailed for nine years and three months. Hertfordshire Police said Razvan Balasoiu, 26, was under the influence of alcohol when his BMW ploughed into a Toyota Corolla on the A602 between Stevenage and Hitchin. The Toyota's driver, a woman in her 50s, died at the scene, while a woman in a third car was seriously injured. Balasoiu, from London, previously pleaded guilty at St Albans Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The incident happened "in wet conditions" on 12 November 2023 at about 18:45 GMT. Police said Balasoiu failed to notice the road changing from a dual carriageway into a single-lane road and struck a silver Toyota Corolla travelling in the same direction. The force with which his vehicle, a black BMW 316i, struck the Corolla, caused it to spin out of control onto the opposite carriageway, where it hit a Hyundai IX35. The Hyundai's driver, a woman in her 60s, spent several months in hospital and police said she was "still recovering from the horrific life-changing injuries". Balasoiu was arrested at the scene and failed to provide a breath test at the roadside, only agreeing to a blood test hours after the collision, police said. Det Con Felicity Walker said it was "a tragic case". "As a direct result of Balasoiu's driving, which was at speed, in wet conditions, under the influence of alcohol, three families have been affected. "Drink drive and speeding are two of the fatal four, and we will never tolerate such reckless behaviour on our roads." Balasoiu was sentenced on Thursday. He will also be banned from driving for five years once he is released from prison. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. BMW driver arrested after woman dies in collision
