The Netherlands is being considered as a possible host country for former president Rodrigo Duterte if the International Criminal Court (ICC) grants him interim release, according to lawyer Maria Kristina Conti.
Conti, who serves as ICC assistant to counsel, noted that such an arrangement is reflected in court records.
“The Netherlands. Obvious, as it will be a transit country en route to a second or third country. But the defense said that Duterte will be released first into Dutch territory,” Conti said in a mix of English and Filipino during an interview on Sunday.
“What was said is… the Netherlands, perhaps you can shelter Duterte for the rest of the period of interim release. What if he stays there because, instead of traveling, he is already there? That is what I heard with a call for house arrest in the Netherlands,” she added.
Duterte, who faces charges of crimes against humanity over his administration’s drug war, is currently detained in The Hague as he awaits the confirmation of charges.
His defense team has renewed its request for the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber to act on its petition for interim release, citing prolonged delays and unresolved logistical issues in evaluating Duterte’s fitness to stand trial.
The Duterte camp also assured the ICC that the former president’s release would not interfere with the proceedings or the broader case.
Conti, however, believes that the behavior displayed by Duterte’s family could influence the court’s decision.
“If it were up to me, the country is not important, truth be told, but rather the conditions,” Conti said.
“That is, the risk factors: you must not commit additional crimes; you must not interfere with the process or the victims, witnesses, and everyone involved; and most importantly, you will return to the court,” she added.
