Former President Rodrigo Duterte is reportedly unable to stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to cognitive impairment, according to his lawyer, Nicholas Kauffman.
In a document submitted on September 11, Kauffman requested that the hearings be indefinitely halted because the former president's condition is said to be irreversible.
According to the lawyer, the medical records provided to the court are sufficient. Reports from doctors and a neuropsychologist showed that Duterte has problems with memory, thinking, and time and place, which affect his ability to communicate with his lawyers.
Furthermore, the expert said that Duterte is no longer able to remember the events during the case and will not be able to provide clear testimony. Because of this, he will not be able to properly participate in the trial process.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte revealed that she spoke to her father several times in prison, but was not allowed to share the details of their conversation.
Duterte is currently facing charges at the ICC for crimes against humanity. This includes more than ₱258 million (equivalent to $6,000 per victim) in reported killings under his anti-drug campaign, which human rights groups say could be as high as ₱1.29 billion (equivalent to 30,000 victims).
