The Hague, Netherlands — The prosecution team handling former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case expressed rejection over his camp’s request for an interim release.
Based on the copy of the public version of the Prosecution’s response on the defense’s urgent interim release, the prosecutors appealed to the ICC panel to reject the said request.
The prosecution argued that Duterte should remain in the custody of ICC as this is to ensure that he will appear before the court and face the charges filed against him.
It can be recalled that Dutetre’s defense team appealed for his release from detention and staying in an undisclosed country for the meantime is not an attempt to run away.
However, prosecutors claimed that there are enough arguments to support that Duterte is indeed flight risk.
The prosecution cited that Duterte’s repeated questioning and rejection of the legitimacy of the legal proceedings, claiming this as kidnapping, as well as his connections may signify his attempt to run-away once released.
It added that by keeping him in custody, it can be assured that Duterte will not obstruct or endanger the investigation in any means, as well as to ensure the safety and well being of the witnesses and victims of the alleged crimes.