FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte has formally requested interim release from the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to his lawyer Atty. Nicholas Kaufman.
In a 16-page submission to the court, Kaufman said Duterte has cooperated with legal proceedings and should be granted temporary release while awaiting trial.
A foreign country has reportedly agreed to host Duterte during this period, though its identity remains confidential.
“Redacted has affirmed its principled willingness to cooperate with the court, and to accept Mr. Duterte onto its territory,” the filing read.
Human rights lawyer Atty. Kristina Conti expressed concern about the move, saying, “Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig,” especially since the ICC prosecutor reportedly does not object to the request.
Duterte has been detained in The Hague since March 12 in connection with charges of crimes against humanity linked to his bloody anti-drug campaign.
