Ex-Philippine President Duterte seeks release from ICC detention

Petition says third country has agreed to take former leader ahead of trial

20250613 Rodrigo Duterte

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen on a screen in the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, on March 14. © Reuters

RAMON ROYANDOYAN

MANILA -- Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's lawyers have requested his "urgent" interim release from detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands to another country while his case involving alleged crimes against humanity progresses.

The petition states that Duterte, who is accused of masterminding a drug war in which thousands of Filipinos were killed when he was mayor of Davao City and then president, is not a flight risk and that he will not imperil the proceedings if he is released. It adds he will not "continue to commit crimes" and that humanitarian factors should be considered, including his age.

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