Nicholas Kaufman Speaks on Duterte amid Approaching Holidays
DUTERTE – Lawyer Nicholas Kaufman claimed that the former President wants to spend Christmas with his family but the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center may not allow it.
The ICC rejected the interim release appeal of FPRD. He waived his right to personally attend the hearing set last November 28 and it was his lead counsel, British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, who represented the former President during the hearing.
The International Criminal Court junked all three (3) grounds raised by Duterte’s camp. The judges, in their decision, considered the former President as allegedly a “high risk” individual, thus, his continued detention is necessary. He is detained under the custody of the ICC at the Scheveningen Prison since March.
The foreign court junked the following grounds raised by the Defense Team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in their appeal for an interim release:
- The Pre-Trial Chamber erroneously found that Duterte poses a risk under Article 58(1)(b) of the Rome Statute
- The Pre-Trial Chamber erred in its rejection of the guarantees proposed by the State willing to receive him
- The Pre-Trial Chamber erred in law by failing to take into account humanitarian considerations in assessing the right to interim release.
The Duterte family immediately released a statement after the ICC denied the interim release appeal of the former President. In their statement, the family assured that they accept the decision of the foreign court “with peaceful hearts”.
“The family accepts the ICC Appeal Chambr’s decision with peaceful hearts. We will continue to work with the defense team on the case and will keep supporting Former President Rodrigo Duterte with our daily conversations. We thank everyone who prayed with us today,” the family of the former President stated.
We are only a few days away from the Christmas day. Based on a report on GMA News, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte wants to spend Christmas with his family. However, according to his lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, the ICC detention center usually observes court holidays on December 25 and 26 so regular visits may not be allowed.
“He wishes to spend Christmas with his family, as anyone would want to spend Christmas. He knows that he has a huge base of supporters outside who respect the International Criminal Court and wouldn’t dream of interfering with the proceedings that are going on, quite contrary to submissions which are made by the Office of the Prosecutor,” Kaufman said.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Kaufman claimed that they will try their best to make arrangements for the wish of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to spend Christmas with his family. He admitted that he cannot be too optimistic about it but they will try their best.
“We are going to try and change that because we believe that the former president should be with his family on Christmas, and we will fight for that… Unfortunately, I can’t be too optimistic, but we do our best,” the British-Israeli Lawyer said.
Based on the report, Nicholas Kaufman said that the Duterte supporters in The Hague may still express their support and send flowers and presents like what they did on his birthday. The British-Israeli Lawyer believes that it will cheer the former President up.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte visited former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte inside the ICC detention facility but did not mention the ICC ruling on his interim release plea.