- Duterte defense team seeks urgent ICC conference
THE LEAD defense counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, urgently requested a status conference with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to address what he described as “serious procedural delays” hindering the preparation for the confirmation of charges hearing.
Kaufman’s request, submitted under Rule 121(2)(b) of the ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence, calls for the conference to be held before the court’s summer recess on July 25, 2025, at 5:30 PM (CET).
The defense wanted to assess the feasibility of the current hearing schedule given the ongoing setbacks, citing several delays that they asserted were “not attributable to them.”
These supposed delays include:
- A one-month delay in receiving requested materials, which were submitted on April 15 but were only received on May 16.
- The provision of “critical supporting materials” was only transmitted as recently as July 7.
Crucially, the defense notes that “key items” they have requested remain outstanding more than a month after their initial request.
Kaufman warned the court that without immediate intervention, similar setbacks are “likely,” emphasizing that these issues are “seriously hindering case preparation.”
The defense’s urgent plea suggests growing concern over the timeline and fairness of the pre-trial proceedings.
Meanwhile, the requested status conference will likely involve discussions among the defense, prosecution, and the Pre-Trial Chamber to determine the best course of action to ensure a timely and equitable process for the confirmation of charges.
Photo courtesy of ICC website
