ICC rules Duterte fit to stand trial in crimes-against-humanity case

Judges at the International Criminal Court have ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial on crimes against humanity charges linked to his anti-drugs campaign. The court in The Hague said independent medical experts had concluded that the 81-year-old can understand the evidence and discuss his defence with his lawyers. Judges also denied a request for his release from custody.

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The ruling means the case against Duterte will continue after his legal team argued that serious memory loss left him unable to absorb new information or reliably recall the past. The court said it was satisfied that he can effectively exercise his fair trial rights in the proceedings. Duterte denies the charges and has said he only ordered police to act in self-defence as part of his anti-drugs offensive.

Duterte faces allegations of murder and attempted murder over dozens of killings said to be tied to the drug war during his presidency from 2016 to 2022. Prosecutors say police and government hit squads carried out killings at his orders, motivated by money or by fear of becoming targets themselves. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The decision is significant because it keeps alive one of the most closely watched international justice cases involving a former head of state. Duterte was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and transferred to the court's headquarters in The Hague after a lengthy investigation. He became the first Asian ex-leader to be arrested by the court, which prosecutes individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other grave offences.

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The case also draws attention to the scale of the anti-drugs crackdown that defined Duterte's presidency. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, from more than 6,000 reported by the national police to as many as 30,000 claimed by human rights groups. Duterte's high public approval during his time in office helped him push through the campaign, which remains central to the allegations now before judges.

What happens next will depend on the court's handling of the charges and any further defence arguments, but the latest ruling removes one of the main obstacles to the trial moving forward. It is still unclear how long the proceedings will take and what additional evidence may be tested in court. The case will remain a major test of the court's ability to pursue allegations against powerful political figures.

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