Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been handed over to the International Criminal Court after being arrested on a warrant that accuses him of crimes against humanity related to his brutal anti-drug crackdown during his time in office.
The 79-year-old former president landed at Rotterdam-The Hague airport in the Netherlands on Wednesday, arriving on a flight from Manila, after being detained on Tuesday at the request of the ICC.
Duterte's arrest was welcomed by rights groups and relatives of victims, with the court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, describing it as “a critical step in our ongoing fight to bring to justice those responsible for the most serious crimes under the ICC's jurisdiction.”
Duterte's supporters have condemned the administration of current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, a political rival of Duterte, for arresting him and handing him over to a court whose jurisdiction his supporters dispute.
The Dutch court said in a statement that Duterte received medical treatment “as a precautionary measure” at the airport, following standard procedures for suspects arriving. The court did not comment on his health.
An ambulance pulled up to where his plane had landed, and medics carried a gurney inside. A police helicopter hovered near the airport, and a black SUV was later seen leaving the airport under police guard. Its final destination was not immediately known. Crowds gathered outside the ICC detention center.
In the coming days, Duterte will be brought before a judge to confirm his identity, ensure he understands the charges, and set a hearing date to assess whether prosecutors have enough evidence to take the case to trial in full.
If the case goes to trial and he is found guilty, Duterte could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Jerry Abella of Amnesty International said: “This is a significant and long overdue step towards justice for the thousands of victims and their families.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
