ICC Judge Iulia Motoc warned the defense of Rodrigo Duterte in the ICC hearing.
RODRIGO DUTERTE ICC HEARING – International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Iulia Motoc warned the defense for divulging witness and victim details in an open session.
The confirmation of charges hearing in the case of former president Rodrigo Duterte has concluded before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The judges were Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc (presiding judge) and Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera.
The judges will now begin their deliberations. Under Regulation 53 of the Regulations of the Court, the Pre-Trial Chamber is required to issue its written decision within 60 days from the conclusion of the confirmation hearing.
ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mandiaye Niang previously expressed that Duterte is “criminally responsible” for three counts of murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity. Prosecutors from the International Criminal Court have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his role in at least 76 killings carried out between 2013 and 2018.
During the fourth and final day of the confirmation of charges hearing, Motoc warned the defense team of Duterte to “respect the chamber’s decision regarding redactions.” This came after portions of the previous day’s livestream were cut and redacted when defense lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman mentioned details about the witnesses and victims.
Motoc made this statement at the start of the session: “Mr. [Nicholas] Kaufman, please proceed, and you must respect the chamber’s decision regarding redactions. Otherwise, I will be obliged to interrupt you each time so as to protect victims and witnesses.”
To recall, Duterte was arrested in Manila in March last year, flown straight to the Netherlands, and has been held at the ICC’s detention unit in Scheveningen Prison since then.
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