Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday denied claims that her father’s legal team sought Australia’s help in facilitating his temporary release from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a media interview during her visit to Samal, Duterte made it clear: “The defense team of President Duterte never reached out to the Australian government to discuss about this interim release. There is no application from former President Duterte for interim release in Australia.”
The clarification follows reports suggesting Australia had refused to host former president Rodrigo Duterte should the ICC allow him provisional liberty. Duterte’s lead counsel, Nicolas Kaufman, filed the request for interim release on June 12, citing two unnamed countries that had reportedly shown willingness to accept Duterte.
“Albeit redacted, I have to confirm that the two countries, neither of which is Australia,” the vice president confirmed.
The ICC allows interim or provisional release under special conditions, usually while awaiting trial. Only a few countries—currently Belgium and Argentina—have existing agreements with the ICC for such arrangements.
Rodrigo Duterte remains in custody at the ICC facility in The Hague after his arrest at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11. He was transferred abroad the same day and had his pre-trial hearing on March 14. The confirmation of charges is set for September 23, linked to allegations of crimes against humanity tied to his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
