What happens on Rodrigo Duterte’s Feb. 23 hearing? ICC explains

The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Saturday explained what would transpire on the four-day confirmation of charges hearing on the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte in relation to his controversial anti-drug campaign.

In an Instagram post, ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet said that on “23rd February , the ICC opens confirmation of charges hearing in the Duterte case.”

“This hearing is not a trial. It’s a pre-trial hearing,” Maillet said.

“At this stage, the judges will not decide on Mr Duterte’s innocence or guilt. Instead, the pre-trial judges decide whether there is enough evidence against Mr. Duterte for the case to go to trial,” she said.

Earlier, the ICC spokesperson announced that The Hague court does not allow trials to be done in the absence of the accused, should the charges be confirmed. 

This developed after the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 granted Duterte’s request to waive his right to attend the confirmation of charges hearings next week.

Meanwhile, Maillet explained that during the four-day confirmation of charges hearing, “the judges of Pre-Trial Chamber 1 will hear arguments from the prosecution, the defense, and the legal representatives of victims.”

“After that, the judges have 60 days to review the evidence and make their decision,” she said. —RF, GMA Integrated News