Message of Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s Lead Counsel, for Filipino People
Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman gave a message for the Filipinos who monitor the former president’s case before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is faced with an allegation of crimes against humanity due to his administration’s drug war. The anti-drugs campaign of the previous administration is being linked to the deaths of thousands of Filipinos. The former President is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands.
Previously, the ICC prosecutor said that at least 8,500 pages of written evidence will be presented against Duterte. The confirmation of charges against the former President is scheduled on September 23.
Before heading home to the Philippines in the first week of July, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte has finalized the ICC legal team of the former President. Duterte’s lead counsel is British-Israeli lawyer Nicolas Kaufman.
While Kaufman is Duterte’s lead counsel, French lawyer Dov Jacobs is also part of the ICC legal team of the former President as an associate counsel. The British-Israeli lawyer leading the ICC legal team of Duterte is confident about their jurisdictional argument.
According to Kaufman, if he will be able to convince the judges that the ICC has no jurisdiction in the Philippines, the process may no longer need to get to the confirmation of charges. The ICC previously confirmed that the investigation of other people linked to Duterte’s drug war is “ongoing”.
Recently, Duterte’s lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, was asked for his message to the Filipino people who really monitor the proceedings. Based on a post on the Facebook page Nurse Mae Laagan, the British-Israeli Lawyer called on the Filipinos for respect.
“Respect the judicial process. Respect the judges. And respect former Pres. Duterte’s right to a fair trial,” Duterte’s lawyer said.
Previously, a lawyer claimed that the ICC, not the Philippine government, will allegedly shoulder the expenses of the witnesses against Duterte.