ICC Appeals Chamber rejects plea from Duterte for interim release

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Friday unanimously rejected a plea from former President Rodrigo Duterte for interim release and said he must stay in detention to await for formal trial.

The chamber rejected all three grounds of appeal by the camp of the 80-year-old Duterte on interim release. Duterte was arrested in the Philippines on March 11 on the strength of an arrest warrant from the Interpol on crimes against humanity.

The Appeals Chamber upheld the decision issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC in September, dismissing the request for an interim release of the former president.

The judgement was read by presiding judge Luz Del Carmen Ibanez Carranza in the presence of defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman, representing Duterte who waived his right to personally appear during the court hearing.

Carranza said the Appeals Chamber "rejected the three grounds of appeal presented by the defense".

She noted that the ''Appeals Chamber unanimously confirmed the impugned decision.''

"This brings us the summary of the Appeals Chambers judgement. The judgement will be notified to the parties and participants after this hearing," she added.

In a statement, Malacanang said: ''The International Criminal Court has already made its decision and the Palace respects it.''

The Duterte family replied in a statement that they accepted the decision ''with peaceful hearts.''

''We will continue to work with the defense team on the case and will keep supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte with our daily conversations,'' the family said. Robina Asido/DMS