On the final day of the confirmation of charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte, the International Criminal Court (ICC) reminded his defense counsel to adhere to the chamber’s rules on redactions.
ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc emphasized the tribunal’s commitment to protecting the identities of witnesses and alleged victims of extrajudicial killings amid the high-profile legal proceedings.
Judge Motoc told lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman to comply with the court’s directives as he continued presenting arguments in opposing the prosecution’s bid to bring Duterte’s alleged crimes against humanity case to trial.
“Mr. Kaufman, please proceed and you must respect the Chamber’s decisions regarding redactions. Otherwise, I will be obliged to interrupt you each time, so as to protect victims and witnesses,” Judge Motoc said in French before the session resumed on February 27, 2026.
The livestream broadcast of the pre-trial proceedings was repeatedly interrupted during the third day and the first session on the fourth day of the hearing while Kaufman presented his arguments and evidence in defense of Duterte.
The ICC reiterated that the redaction measures were necessary to safeguard victims and witnesses and to avoid conducting the hearings in closed sessions.
