“PRESUMED INNOCENCE”
The high-profile Duterte case comes at a crucial second for the ICC, because it faces unprecedented strain from all sides, together with United States sanctions.
Final month, US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the court over what he stated have been “illegitimate and baseless actions concentrating on America and our shut ally Israel.”
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged warfare crimes and crimes towards humanity in the course of the Gaza warfare.
Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan hailed Duterte’s arrest as a key second for victims and worldwide justice as a complete.
“Many say that worldwide legislation will not be as robust as we would like, and I agree with that. However as I additionally repeatedly emphasise, worldwide legislation will not be as weak as some might imagine,” Khan stated in a press release following Duterte’s arrival in ICC custody.
“After we come collectively … after we construct partnerships, the rule of legislation can prevail. Warrants will be executed,” he stated.
On the preliminary listening to, a suspect can request interim launch pending a trial, in response to ICC guidelines.
Following that first listening to, the following part is a session to substantiate the fees, at which level a suspect can problem the prosecutor’s proof.
Solely after that listening to will the courtroom determine whether or not to press forward with a trial, a course of that might take a number of months and even years.
“It is necessary to underline, as we now begin a brand new stage of proceedings, that Mr Duterte is presumed harmless,” stated Khan.
