ICC allows prosecution of ex-Philippines President Duterte to expand evidence list in crimes against humanity case

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted requests from both former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and prosecutors to add new items to their evidence lists in the crimes against humanity case involving the detained ex-leader, local media reported on Saturday.

The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber issued the ruling on Friday, just days before the scheduled start of a confirmation of charges hearing, the Manila Times reported.

The judges approved the defense request to add 108 items to its evidence list as well as the prosecution's request to admit 14 additional items.

The confirmation hearing is set to begin on Monday.

Duterte's legal team, in its request, argued that the additional materials were "highly relevant" to the crimes against humanity case against the former president.

‌The defense warned that not permitting the evidence would cause "significant prejudice" to Duterte.

In its ruling, the chamber found "good cause" to grant both requests, citing "the limited extent of the requested additions, the nature of the material concerned and its relevance to the charges brought against the suspect, as well as the absence of objection from the parties."

The confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send Duterte to trial for alleged crimes against humanity connected to his "war on drugs" campaign as mayor of Davao City and later as president.

Duterte, who served as Philippines president from 2016 to 2022, has been detained at the ICC detention facility at The Hague since last March.