Rodrigo Duterte’s Fate at The Hague: Uncovered Details
RODRIGO DUTERTE – Former president Rodrigo Duterte is set to face a highly anticipated legal battle at The Hague.
Ex-president Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to arrive in The Hague, Netherlands, on Wednesday to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs. Upon arrival, he will be transferred to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) detention facility, where he will prepare for his initial court appearance. Here’s what awaits him:
Detention at the ICC
Duterte will be held at the ICC’s detention unit in Scheveningen, a seaside district of The Hague. This facility, which is part of a Dutch prison, currently houses five other ICC detainees. It has previously held high-profile figures from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), including Slobodan Milosevic, Radovan Karadzic, and Ratko Mladic.
The ICC ensures that detainees’ physical, mental, and spiritual well-being is supported while respecting their cultural backgrounds. Each inmate is assigned a private cell equipped with a bed, desk, shelves, cupboard, toilet, hand basin, television, and a computer (without internet) to assist with their defense preparation.
Detainees have access to an outdoor exercise area and can engage in sports and recreational activities. Meals are provided three times daily, but detainees can also cook their own food using groceries supplied by the court. Family and conjugal visits are allowed several times a year, and if the detainee is declared indigent, the court will cover travel expenses for visiting family members.
Initial Court Appearance
Following ICC protocol, Duterte will appear before the Pre-Trial Chamber shortly after his arrival. During this hearing, his identity will be confirmed, and he will be formally informed of the charges against him. He will also be advised of his rights under the Rome Statute, including the right to request interim release.
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Confirmation of Charges
According to the report, a confirmation of charges hearing will take place within a reasonable period. Prosecutors must present enough evidence to persuade the judges that Duterte committed the alleged crimes. The court may either confirm the charges and move forward to trial, request additional evidence, modify the charges, or dismiss them.
If the charges are confirmed, a trial chamber will be established to manage and conduct the trial. Duterte’s legal battle at the ICC is anticipated to attract significant global attention as the proceedings unfold.