THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte asked the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court to allow his legal team to attend the open-court judgment on his appeal in his absence on April 22.
In a signed letter dated April 10, Duterte waived his right to appear in person at the hearing and instructed his lawyers to receive the court’s decision on his behalf. His request was attached to a filing submitted by his defense counsel.
The Appeals Chamber is scheduled to issue its ruling on Duterte’s challenge to the court’s jurisdiction over his crimes against humanity case.
Duterte’s legal team is appealing a prior decision by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber that affirmed the court’s jurisdiction over the case. The appeal also covers earlier rulings related to interim release and his health assessment.
Duterte has previously declined to appear in person or virtually before the court, citing his position that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over him.
He is facing charges of murder as a crime against humanity in connection with killings linked to the Philippine government’s anti-drug campaign.
