Duterte is declared fit for ICC appearance as his lawyer alleges he was 'abducted'

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court in The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity for his deadly crackdown on narcotics. His lawyer claimed Duterte was too ill for trial, but the court-appointed doctor found him fit to stand trial. The court scheduled a pretrial hearing for September 23 to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed. If convicted, Duterte could face life imprisonment. His arrest has caused a rift in the Philippines between powerful political families, with human rights groups welcoming the move while his supporters continue to back him. The trial is historic as it marks the first of an Asian former head of state at the ICC.

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