THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A trial chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has canceled the status conference scheduled for July 14 in the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte after all parties said there were no urgent matters requiring the court’s attention.
In a statement released Friday, the ICC said Trial Chamber III decided not to proceed with the hearing because the defense, prosecution and legal representatives of victims informed the court that they had no issues requiring immediate resolution.
The chamber, presided over by Judge Joanna Korner, scheduled the next status conference for Sept. 16, about two months before Duterte’s trial on charges of crimes against humanity is set to begin.
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity involving murder in connection with his anti-drug campaign as mayor and later as president. He has been detained at the ICC detention facility in Scheveningen since his arrest and transfer to the court in March.
The chamber previously said Duterte is expected to appear at the September hearing unless court-appointed medical experts determine that health issues prevent his attendance.
The ICC appointed a three-member panel of specialists in geriatric and behavioral neurology, forensic psychiatry and neuropsychology to assess whether Duterte is medically fit to exercise his rights during the proceedings.
The medical evaluation was ordered after Duterte’s defense team, led by British barrister Peter Haynes, requested a new assessment of the former president’s condition.
