Duterte seeks suspension of ICC ruling on interim release plea

Metro Manila, Philippines - Former President Rodrigo Duterte has filed an urgent request asking the International Criminal Court (ICC) pre-trial chamber to suspend its decision on his interim release.

In the request dated July 18, Duterte’s counsel Nicholas Kaufman said access to key evidence has been delayed for months, with some documents just reaching them days ago, slowing their case.

In March, the former president was detained at the ICC facility in the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity for murder in relation to his bloody drug war.

“In light of the aforementioned, the pre-trial Chamber is respectfully requested to suspend its adjudication of the request for interim release until such time as the Defense has assembled all information necessary,” Kaufmannn said.

He said the prosecution mischaracterized an unnamed material, adding that “such a prejudicial situation has thus been created by which Duterte is unable to challenge a prosecution assertion.”

The former president's interim release request was filed on June 12 and rulings are typically encouraged within 30 days.

Duterte’s defense team earlier said an undisclosed country is willing to adopt the former president should his interim release be granted.

The defense said Duterte’s request is supported not only by legal precedent but also on humanitarian grounds.

The hearing for the confirmation for charges has been set for Sept. 23.