ICC rejects Duterte's bid for addt'l expert report on cognitive condition

International Criminal Court (ICC) judges have rejected the request of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense for an additional expert report, ruling that further medical evidence is neither necessary nor appropriate at this stage.

- By ARGYLL GEDUCOS

In a decision dated Jan. 7, Pre-Trial Chamber I denied the defense’s request for a new expert report on risks under Article 58(1)(b) of the Rome Statute, which covers the risk of flight, interference with proceedings, or commission of crimes.

The defense had sought an urgent order directing a panel of court-appointed experts to issue another report focusing on whether Duterte’s current cognitive condition would affect those risks.

The Chamber said it already has sufficient medical information on record following the submission of joint and individual reports by a panel of three independent experts appointed by the court.

Judges noted that the panel was appointed for the limited purpose of assessing Duterte’s medical condition in relation to his fitness to participate in pretrial proceedings, a mandate they said had already been fulfilled.

Ordering an additional report, the Chamber said, would exceed the experts’ mandate and is not required for its determination of detention-related issues.