Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte’s defence lawyer tells the International Criminal Court the charges are politically motivated and based on insufficient evidence.

AMSTERDAM: Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte “absolutely” maintains his innocence, his defence lawyer told the International Criminal Court as a pre-trial hearing against him opened.

Duterte’s lawyer Nicholas Kaufman stated his client, who was not in court, “stands behind his legacy resolutely” and “maintains his innocence absolutely”.

Kaufman acknowledged Duterte was “a unique phenomenon” who was “gung-ho in his ways” and full of “hyperbole, bluster and rhetoric”.

He accused the prosecution of “cherry-picking” through Duterte’s speeches, adding that many of them insist on the importance of sticking to the law.

The former president’s speeches did not have “lethal intent” but aimed to “instil fear in the hearts” of criminals, according to his lawyer.

Kaufman told ICC judges that the evidence against Duterte was “wholly insufficient” and the charges were “grievously misplaced and politically motivated”.

The proceedings are a “confirmation of charges” hearing after which judges will weigh whether to move forward to a full trial.

Judges are expected to take up to 60 days to make their decision on whether the case proceeds to trial.

 The Sun Malaysia