The Hague, Netherlands – Deteriorating cognitive condition.
This is how former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense counsel described his current health condition, almost 7 months since his arrest and detention in March.
For this reason, his defense team filed a request for the indefinite adjournment of his ICC case as Duterte is not fit to face trial.
This week, the Pre-Trial Chamber I approved accepted the request, postponing the supposed confirmation hearing initially set on September 23.
The defense noted that with Duterte’s current condition, he will not be able to face the trial due to cognitive impairment.
According to the Defense, they have regularly updated ICC on the changes in Duterte’s condition, submitting his medical and psychological exams and evaluations.
Results showed that he suffers with cognitive deficiencies, which have affected his memory, daily functioning, visuo-constructive abilities, disorientation of time and place, as well as his complex reasoning.
These results noted that Duterte is not in any good condition to meaningfully participate in the legal proceedings against him.
On their request, the defense also complained about the alleged disregard and ignoring of the registry to grant their requests for medical attention, that would help them check Duterte’s condition.
With the indefinite adjournment request, the defense similarly argued that no treatment would bring back Duterte’s state of legal competence, and that there is no guarantee of how look it will take.
It can be recalled that the defense appealed for his interim release, citing humanitarian reasons due to existing medical conditions brought by his old age.
Duterte celebrated his 80th birthday in March, inside detention.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News