Duterte appears before Hague court accused of crimes against humanity over 'war on drugs'

Rodrigo Duterte yesterday became the first Asian former leader to appear before the international criminal court at The Hague.

- Rebecca Ratcliffe Sam Jones

He is accused of committing crimes against humanity in a notorious "war on drugs" that is estimated to have cost as many as 30,000 lives.

Duterte, who was president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in Manila on an ICC warrant early on Tuesday, put on a government-chartered jet hours later and arrived in the Netherlands the following day.

The 79-year-old politician was allowed to follow yesterday's proceedings via videolink from a detention centre after the presiding judge, Iulia Motoc, noted that he had endured "a long journey with considerable time difference".

Appearing before the court shortly before 3pm local time, Duterte was informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant. Sounding frail and wearing a suit and tie, he spoke briefly to confirm his name and date of birth.

Salvador Medialdea, Duterte's lawyer, told the court his client had been "abducted from his country". He added: "He was summarily transported to The Hague. To lawyers it's extrajudicial rendition. For less legal minds it's pure and simple kidnapping."

Medialdea said Duterte would not be able to contribute to proceedings because of "debilitating medical issues". But Motoc said the doctor who had examined Duterte was of the opinion that he was "fully mentally aware and fit".