Duterte’s appeal for interim release at ICC to be streamed live on Nov. 28

The appeal by former President Rodrigo Duterte for interim release before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on November 28 will be available for public viewing online.

In an advisory, the ICC announced that the delivery of its judgment will take place in open court in The Hague, Netherlands, at 10:30 a.m.

The appeal will be transmitted live through the ICC website, as well as social media platforms Facebook and YouTube.

Duterte is currently detained at the Hague Penitentiary Institution for charges of crimes against humanity, with over 49 incidents of murder and attempted murder in relation to his bloody war on drugs during his time as Davao City mayor and Philippine President under his belt.

Following rejected appeals to overturn ICC jurisdiction on his arrest, the former president’s camp had filed for an interim release.

It was also rejected based on Duterte’s contention against his arrest, his family’s demands for his return to the Philippines, and remarks made by Vice President Sara Duterte on breaking him out of ICC detention.

The current appeal to overturn the rejection had been filed by the Duterte camp on October 14, citing that the court failed to account for “humanitarian considerations” in its decision.

"Mr. Duterte is 80 years old, infirm, and debilitated. It is, quite simply, cruel to detain him while he enjoys the presumption of innocence. A court of law set up to address the crimes of ultimate concern to humanity may also show compassion," the appeal read.

"Mr. Duterte has neither the desire nor capacity to flee or to return to a life of power or politics. He merely seeks interim release in a country where he can participate in the confirmation proceedings in a setting conducive to his proven weak state of mental and physical health," it added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News