THE INTERNATIONAL Criminal Court’s (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) urged the Appeals Chamber to deny former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s appeal for temporary release, arguing that his continued detention is both lawful and necessary.
Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang asserted that Duterte still poses risks of flight, obstruction, and reoffending.
Niang cited Duterte’s political influence and past actions, including his family’s continued ties to the government, as justification for the continued detention.
The prosecution countered the defense’s legal arguments, stating that detention is justified when the specified risks are possible, not when they are certain.
The OTP also defended the use of open-source and NGO reports in previous pre-trial decisions.
Deputy Prosecutor Niang ultimately asked the Appeals Chamber to uphold the Pre-Trial Chamber’s initial ruling, emphasizing that Duterte’s detention protects the integrity of the Court and the justice process.
