Former President Rodrigo Duterte may spend Christmas without visitors as the International Criminal Court (ICC) prepares for its holiday break, which could restrict access to detainees.
The ICC will enter judicial recess from December 12 to January 5, with December 25 and 26 designated as official court holidays—days when visits are typically not allowed.
Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, said they are asking the court to permit the former president to be with his family for Christmas, though he admitted the chances of approval are slim.
He noted that court rules generally prohibit visits during official holidays, making family access uncertain.
The Appeals Chamber recently denied Duterte’s request for temporary release, upholding an earlier ruling that continued detention is necessary to prevent flight, interference, or risks to the investigation into the drug war killings.
Duterte has been detained at the ICC since his March 11 arrest and faces three counts of murder as crimes against humanity.
A panel of ICC-appointed doctors is set to release a medical report by December 5 to determine whether Duterte remains fit to stand trial. His defense team argues that his cognitive condition has worsened, rendering him unable to participate in his case and justifying another bid for release.
