ICC Office of Prosecutor mum over alleged ‘unauthorized’ use of journo's video

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor said it is not in a position to comment on the affidavit of a Davao-based journalist who said that his video was unauthorizedly used for the prosecution’s presentation on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing.

“The Office is not in a position to provide further comment on matters being litigated by the Court,” the public information unit of the ICC Office of Prosecutor told GMA Integrated News.

In a notarized affidavit dated February 26, journalist Ben Tesiorna sought a public apology from ICC Prosecutor and Senior Trial Lawyer Julian Nicholls for his alleged misrepresentation and/or recklessness.

Nicholls, during the hearing on Monday showed a video of Duterte watching a shooting incident via CCTV footage. 

He said a video of Duterte watching the crime was posted on YouTube a few weeks after the murders. He did not mention that the former President was reacting to the shooting in real time.

“Mr. Nicholls’ showing and broadcasting worldwide of any video has tainted my reputation and put me and my family in danger, as if I cooperated with him and the ICC prosecution, which I deny as well,” the Davao-based journalist said.

Should Nicholls fail to apologize publicly, Tesiorna said he would seek redress against the ICC Prosecutor and others involved, including filing for cyberlibel, damages, or copyright infringement. 

Duterte is currently undergoing a confirmation of charges hearing at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands for charges of crimes against humanity over alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration's drug war.—AOL, GMA Integrated News