Cognitive decline? Rody wants ICC trial terminated

The legal team of former president Rodrigo Duterte is pushing for the termination of his trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), claiming that he is suffering from a "deteriorating cognitive condition" affecting his memory and functions.

- By JANVIC MATEO

The ICC on Thursday night released the public redacted version of the defense request for the indefinite adjournment of the proceedings.

In the request originally filed on Aug. 18, the defense claimed that Duterte "is not fit to stand trial as a result of cognitive impairment in multiple domains."

"Mr. Duterte's condition will not improve and, for this reason, the Pre-Trial Chamber must adjourn all legal proceedings in his case indefinitely," read the request signed by Duterte's lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman.

Kaufman earlier confirmed that Duterte's medical condition is "progressively deteriorating" and urged the Marcos administration to allow him to return to the Philippines.

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I has postponed the scheduled confirmation of hearing charges on Sept. 23 to give judges more time to resolve the request for indefinite adjournment.

In the latest request, the defense cited medical examinations conducted on the former president while in detention.