A seasoned French lawyer has joined the defense team of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as he faces charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC’s Registry confirmed on April 7 that international criminal law expert Dov Jacobs will serve as associate counsel in the proceedings. His appointment came after Duterte’s lead lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, requested his inclusion earlier this month.
Jacobs brings a wealth of experience to the team, having previously defended former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, who was later acquitted by the ICC, and currently representing ex-general Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of the Central African Republic.
Aside from his legal practice, Jacobs is also an assistant professor of public international law at Leiden University and heads Strategic International Legal Consulting, with offices in Paris, London, and The Hague.
Duterte, who arrived in The Hague on March 12 after being arrested at NAIA following an ICC-issued warrant, is accused of indirectly participating in the murder of dozens of suspected drug offenders and criminals between 2011 and 2019. These killings allegedly took place both during his time as Davao City mayor and later as president, under the infamous “war on drugs.”
Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, the Court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a member.
Duterte’s pre-trial hearing is set for September 23, 2025. If the case moves forward, it could mark the first time an Asian former head of state is tried before the ICC.
