Duterte requests for temporary release

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyers have formally sought his interim release from his detention at the International Criminal Court to an undisclosed country.

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In a filing submitted Thursday, June 12, Duterte’s defense team requested that he be temporarily freed pending his trial on crimes against humanity charges.

The filing also states ICC prosecutors have indicated they will not oppose the release under certain conditions.

“Since then, and since the Chief Prosecutor’s leave of absence, the Prosecution has confirmed its non-opposition to interim release to [REDACTED] State Party on the understanding that the terms and conditions set out in Annex A to this filing would be met,” according to the document filed by Duterte’s counsel, Nicholas Kaufman.

Duterte has been held at the ICC detention center near The Hague since March 12, following his arrest in Manila on charges related to thousands of killings during his anti-drug campaign.

MYSTERY COUNTRY OFFERS TO HOST DUTERTE

A foreign government has agreed to take in Duterte if he is released, though the country’s identity was redacted from the public court filing.

“The Government of [REDACTED] has expressed to the Defence its advance and principled agreement to receive Mr Duterte onto its territory for the term of his interim release,” the document read.