The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) granted the request of former president Rodrigo Duterte to waive the right to attend the annual hearing on detention.
In its four-page decision dated February 25, the chamber decided that the annual hearing on detention will be held in Duterte’s absence.
Earlier this week, the former president submitted a written request to waive his right to be present at the hearing.
The hearing will convene on February 27 pursuant to the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
Meanwhile, the chamber noted that Duterte understands that he has a right to be present but waives the same and that his counsel informed him of the consequences of such an act.
“Considering that nothing in the Court’s legal framework requires the presence of the suspect at the hearing mandated by rule 118(3) of the Rules, the Chamber finds that, in the present circumstances, it is appropriate to grant Mr. Duterte’s Request,” the decision read.
