Kaufman says Duterte's ICC defense team finalized, Filipino lawyer included
Nicholas Kaufman, the International Criminal Court-listed counsel for former president Rodrigo Duterte, said five lawyers are ready to defend the latter at the global tribunal court.
Kaufman told reporters outside The Hague Penitentiary that a Filipino is part of the team. However, the names are not yet allowed to be disclosed.
"We've finalized a team. It's going to be a core team of a maximum of five members, and we'll be appointing other people to assist us on a needs-be basis," Kaufman said.
Kaufman said he won't reveal the team members' names because he has already discussed the matter with Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing their decision to maintain confidentiality and control over public communication.
The lawmaker also declined to confirm whether the team members were included in the list provided by the ICC.
Earlier, the vice president said that former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea would not be part of Duterte's defense team in the ICC's drug war probe. She cited Roque's uncertain residency status in the Netherlands as the reason for his exclusion.
"We don't want complications. Gusto namin nakatutok talaga 'yung lawyers doon sa kaso. We want him to focus on his asylum and we want our lawyers to focus on the case," Sara told the media.
On March 14, the elder Duterte designated Medialdea as one of his counsels in his first appearance, using a handwritten power of attorney document.
The vice president said that Medialdea will withdraw from counsel once the legal team has been formed. She added that they want lawyers with ICC experience.
Following Duterte's initial appearance before the ICC, where he was informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed as well as his rights as a defendant, he is now set to appear in another hearing on Sept. 23 for the confirmation of charges.
The judges will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support the charges against him.
Duterte could be the first Asian former head of state to be indicted by the ICC.
If the charges against him are confirmed, it could be months before the case eventually goes on trial, and years before a final judgment is rendered.
