Rodrigo Duterte suffering from impaired memory—Kaufman
Former President Rodrigo Duterte's camp explained why they requested an "indefinite" adjournment of all legal proceedings, citing a significant decline in his mental abilities.
According to his defense lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, the 80-year-old Duterte suffers from "impaired memory" and an "inability to retain new information."
"Mr Duterte is unable to fully understand the nature and implications of the proceedings conducted against him," Kaufman said in the publicly redacted document released by the International Criminal Court on Sept. 11.
Kaufman added that the medical evaluation done—which included a neuropsychological evaluation, a CT scan, and an MRI—has concluded that Duterte is not fit to stand trial as he "lacks the capacity to apply the cognitive skills essential for the proper conduct of his defence."
"In fact, he is not even able to process the reasons for his detention," he emphasized.
Kaufman noted that even if Duterte seeks medical help, his condition may remain "static" or "deteriorate even further."
Duterte's defense team claims he does not meet the minimum requirement to stand trial, stating he lacks an understanding of the case's essentials.
Duterte was scheduled to appear at the ICC on Sept. 23 to hear the charges over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups say killed thousands.
On Sept. 9, the court decided to adjourn the hearing until it could rule on a defence motion that the 80-year-old was "not fit to stand trial."
"Litigation regarding Mr Duterte's fitness to participate in the pre-trial proceedings is ongoing in connection with the Defence's Adjournment Request," said the court in a statement.
Hence, the court decided that a "limited postponement of the hearing on the confirmation of charges is warranted to allow sufficient time to adjudicate" on the defence request.
Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11, flown to the Netherlands that same night and has been held at the ICC's detention unit at Scheveningen Prison since.
At his initial hearing, he followed by videolink, appearing dazed and frail, barely speaking.
He is the first Asian former head of state charged by the ICC.
Duterte stands accused of the crime against humanity of murder over his years-long campaign that prosecutors allege were "part of a widespread and systematic attack directed against the civilian population in the Philippines." (with reports from AFP)
