ICC has Dutete’s custody in the case of crimes against the case of humanity

A motorcycle that is believed to carry the former Philippine President Rodrigo Dutete arrives at the International Criminal Court of Haga in Scheveningen, Netherlands, on March 12 (AP)

HAGA, Netherlands, March 13, (AP): The International Criminal Court on Wednesday took the custody of the former Philippine President Rodrigo Dutete, for a mandate that charged with offenses against humanity for the deadly drug repression he has supervised. The groups of rights and the families of the victims welcomed the arrest of Duterte, and the chief prosecutor of the Court, Karim Khan, called it “a crucial step in our continuous activity to ensure the responsibility for the victims of the most serious crimes under the ICC jurisdiction.”

The supporters of Duterte criticized the administration of the current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, the political rival of Duterte, for the arrest and teaching of the former leader at a court whose jurisdiction is disputed by his supporters. The former 79-year-old president arrived in the Netherlands in a flight from Manila, where he was arrested on Tuesday at an ICC request.

The Dutch court stated in a statement that the healthcare was made available to the provisions, in accordance with the standard procedures upon arrival of a suspect. The court did not comment on his health. An ambulance led to the hangar, where the plane was taken, and the doctors gave a gery inside. A police helicopter was close to the airport, and later a black SUV was seen leaving the airport accompanied by the police.

Its destination was not immediately clear. The crowds gathered outside the detention center for ICC suspects. The Hague Philippine Embassy offered a Duperte consular assistance on its arrival, including winter and care packages, the Ministry of Filipine said in a statement issued on Thursday.

In a few days, Duterte will face an initial appearance in which the court will confirm its identity, verifies if it understands the charges against it and will establish once for a hearing to evaluate whether prosecutors have sufficient evidence to send it to a complete process. If his case will be tried and is convicted, Duerte could face a maximum life imprisonment.

“This is a monumental and long step for justice for thousands of victims and their families,” said Jerrie Abella, from Amnesty International. “Therefore, it is a hopeful sign for them, also in the Philippines and not only, as it shows that the suspects of the worst crimes, including government leaders, will face justice wherever they are in the world,” Abella added. Emily Soriano, the mother of a Crackdown victim, said she wants more officials to cope with justice.