ICC sets Nov. 30 start date for Rodrigo Duterte crimes against humanity trial

Rodrigo Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity involving the murders of at least ⁠76 people during violent anti-drug crackdowns.

Judges at the International Criminal Court said on Wednesday that the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity will start on Nov. 30. According to prosecutors, the ex-leader is responsible for dozens of murders, allegedly overseeing deadly anti-drug crackdowns , first as mayor of the southern Philippine city of Davao and later as president. “The expediency of the trial is of the upmost importance,” presiding Judge Joanna Korner said, rejecting requests from the registry of the court to delay the start date over concerns about a lack of translators. Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in the Philippines last year and flown to The Hague, where the global court is located. He denies the charges against him. Korner urged court staff to ensure interpretation was available into languages spoken in the Philippines, including Tagalog. English and French are the official languages of the court. Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidential term vary, from the more than 6,000 that the national police have reporte

Judges at the International Criminal Court have set Nov. 30 as the start date for the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity

Judges at the International Criminal Court have set Nov. 30 as the start date for the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity

Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will face a crimes against humanity trial at the International Criminal Court from November 30, the presiding judge said on Wednesday. Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018 during his so-called “war on drugs”. The 81-year-old will be the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC, which prosecutes individuals for the world’s worst...