Rody seeks interim release from ICC

Former president Rodrigo Duterte is formally seeking his interim release from detention and transfer to an undisclosed country that is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

- JANVIC MATEO

In a 16-page urgent request for interim release dated June 12, Duterte's lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman said the government of a country he did not identify has expressed willingness to receive the former president into its territory.

"Mr. Duterte is not a flight risk, and custody is not necessary to ensure his appearance before the Court," Kaufman's filing read.

"Accordingly, there is more than good reason to believe that Mr. Duterte would not embarrass his hosts, and the hospitality afforded him, by violating the terms of his release," it added.

Lawyers representing some of the victims have urged the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to deny the request.

Duterte has been at the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen, The Hague since his arrest and surrender to the tribunal in March.

The undisclosed country is not the Philippines as the filing stated that it is a state party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.

The defense claimed that this country is at the forefront "in matters of international justice and is committed to the humane defense of internationally recognized liberties." For Duterte's legal team, the former president does not meet any of the conditions to warrant further pre-trial detention.

It also cited humanitarian factors, particularly Duterte's age and other redacted information, to support their plea for interim release.

No opposition?

In his filing, Kaufman claimed that the prosecution "has confirmed its non-opposition to interim release," provided that certain terms and conditions are met.

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has yet to comment on the matter.