ICC junks Duterte request to disqualify 2 judges from deciding jurisdiction issue

The plenary of judges of the International Criminal Court has rejected the request of former President Rodrigo Duterte that two ICC judges be disqualified from deciding his challenge of the jurisdiction of the court as regards his case.

Duterte is facing crimes against humanity charges before the ICC in connection with the extrajudicial killings under his war on drugs during his administration.

The plenary was convened on June 9 to consider Duterte's request for the disqualification of Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.

“The plenary of judges, acting unanimously, decided to reject the application,” read the decision signed by Judge Tomoko Akane.

A fully reasoned copy of the decision will follow, according to the tribunal.

Duterte in his application requested that Alapini-Gansou and Flores be disqualified from adjudicating his Defence Challenge with Respect to Jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the ICC’s Office of the Public Counsel for Victims asked the tribunal to dismiss former president Duterte’s challenge regarding the tribunal’s jurisdiction. –NB, GMA Integrated News