Duterte's legal team appeals ICC ruling, seeks release

Former President Rodrigo Duterte's legal team has appealed the International Criminal Court's (ICC) ruling that affirmed the court's jurisdiction over him, seeking his immediate and unconditional release.

The appeal challenges a decision made by Pre-Trial Chamber I, which permitted the ICC prosecutor to continue investigations into alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Philippines' anti-drug campaign.

The ICC Prosecutor has charged Duterte with 49 incidents of murder and attempted murder during his time as mayor of Davao City and as President.

His legal team argues that there is no legal basis for the continuation of ICC proceedings against him.

The Philippines officially withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC, in 2019 under Duterte's administration.

Duterte is currently detained at the Hague Penitentiary Institution.

While government records indicate around 6,200 drug suspects were killed during the anti-drug operations, human rights organizations estimate the number may reach 30,000 due to unreported killings.