Former Philippines leader Duterte appears in ICC courtroom
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in public at the International Criminal Court for the first time since his transfer 18 months ago, as judges heard arguments about his health and fitness to stand trial on murder charges related to his war on drugs.
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in public at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Wednesday for the first time since his transfer 18 months ago. The 81-year-old former president faces murder charges and crimes against humanity for his war on drugs, which prosecutors say led to as many as 30,000 deaths between 2011 and 2019. Duterte was arrested in March 2025 and taken to The Hague. On Wednesday, judges heard arguments from his lawyers, who claim he suffers from cognitive decline affecting his memory and daily functioning, making him unfit to stand trial. Dressed in a black suit and white shirt, Duterte did not speak in court. In January, ICC judges ruled his health was sufficient to follow proceedings and ordered his physical presence rather than video link. The warrant alleges Duterte was responsible for a widespread campaign of killings during his time as mayor of Davao and as president from 2016 to 2022, including setting up, funding, and arming death squads targeting drug suspects.