Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s Lead Counsel, Speaks on Interim Release Bid of FPRRD
Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman confirmed that they are “working on” filing for the interim release of the former Philippine President.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is still in The Hague, Netherlands now as she sets the legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Previously, Vice Pres. Duterte announced that Harry Roque and Salvador Medialdea are out from the legal team of her father.
According to Vice Pres. Duterte, they really want the lawyers that will compose her father’s legal team to be really focusing in the case. She stressed that Roque who previously claimed that he will be part of FPRRD’s legal team must focus on his asylum first.
British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman will lead the legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The other members of the legal team of the former President have yet to be disclosed. Recently, Duterte’s lead counsel spoke on his confidence over their jurisdictional argument.
According to Kaufman, he hopes to convince the judges that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction in the Philippines. He stressed that the jurisdictional argument must succeed and he will really be disappointed if it won’t work.
Recently, based on a report on GMA News, Nicholas Kaufman confirmed that they are “working on” filing an interim release of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. However, according to Duterte’s lead counsel, they are still deciding on when to apply for the interim release of the former President before the ICC.
“There is a right for Mr. Duterte to be released. We are working on that, but the timing of when we intend to introduce such an application is yet to be decided,” Duterte’s lead counsel said.
Based on the report, the British-Israeli Lawyer explained that there are only three (3) factors that can affect the interim release bid of a suspect. He cited the flight risk, the risk of interference of witnesses with the evidence, and the risk of continuing crimes.
Previously, the International Criminal Court explained that the acceptance of the Philippine government is needed on the interim release of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. However, Malacañang claimed that they will remain in their ground of not recognizing the ICC with regards to a possible bid for interim release.
Recently, ICC-accredited lawyer Joel Butuyan claimed that the arguments of the lead counsel of Duterte have “little weight”. He also described the points as rehashed arguments.