No proven link between former Philippines president Duterte speeches and drug deaths: defence at International Criminal Court


A person stands by two life-size cutouts of former Philippines' president Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court on Feb 23. - Photo: AFP

THE HAGUE: There is no proven link between the “uniquely colourful and crusty” speeches of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte and the murders he is accused of, his defence lawyer told the International Criminal Court on Thursday (Feb 26).

On the third day of a hearing to decide whether Duterte should face trial on crimes against humanity charges over his “war on drugs”, lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said the prosecution had failed to show his client had directly ordered any murders.

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