The Netherlands Ex-President Duterte handed over to world criminal court
Philippine ex-President Rodrigo Duterte has been handed over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The court wants to try the 79-year-old for crimes against humanity. He is accused of at least 43 murders between 2011 and 2019, during the state's so-called "war on drugs".
12.03.2025, 19:39
SDA
Duterte was arrested at the airport in the Philippine capital Manila on Tuesday on the basis of an international arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court and flown out on a charter plane. After a stopover in Dubai, he arrived at The Hague/Rotterdam airport in the late afternoon.
Thousands dead
Duterte was head of state from 2016 to 2022 and led a relentless fight against drug-related crime. According to the police, around 6,000 people were killed. However, human rights organizations estimate that there were up to 30,000. Suspects were often executed without trial.
There are "reasonable grounds" to believe that he is individually responsible for murders that can be considered crimes against humanity, according to the arrest warrant. He is said to have been responsible for the alleged killings, first as mayor of Davao and later as president.
The crimes were "part of a widespread and systematic attack on the civilian population", explained chief prosecutor Karim Khan. According to Khan, the investigation is still ongoing. He called Duterte's arrest "an important moment for the victims".
First to prison
Dozens of supporters had been waiting for Duterte's arrival at the gates of the prison in the North Sea resort of Scheveningen. The court has its own cell complex in the prison. He was to be medically examined there.
Duterte is to be brought before the judge in the next few days. In a few months, the charges will then be examined in preliminary proceedings.
Investigations since 2018
The prosecution has been investigating the alleged crimes in the Philippines since 2018. The island state then announced its withdrawal from the basic treaty of the Criminal Court. However, it remains responsible for the prosecution of criminal offenses until 2019, when the withdrawal became legally binding.
Duterte is the second former head of state to be indicted by the Court. The first was the former president of Côte d'Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo. He was acquitted in 2019.
The current political situation in the island state could be a possible reason for the rapid extradition. This is because there was a rift between current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Duterte's family. His daughter Sara is Vice President and impeachment proceedings are underway against her.
