Duterte appears in court for drug war murder charges
cnn.com —
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte appeared via video link at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, facing murder charges linked to his "war on drugs." This marks his first court appearance after his arrest in Manila. Duterte is accused of overseeing the murder of at least 43 individuals, including drug suspects, during his presidency from 2016 to 2022. The ICC maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was a member, despite Duterte's withdrawal in 2019. His lawyer claimed Duterte was subjected to an "extrajudicial rendition" and has health issues, but the court found him mentally fit. Amnesty International called this a significant moment for victims seeking justice.