Ex-Philippine President Duterte attends initial hearing at ICC via video link

THE HAGUE, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend in person his initial appearance hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) here on Friday afternoon but appeared via video link.

The hearing, which was scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) in the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I, was delayed for some 30 minutes. The Chamber is composed of three judges, presided over by Iulia Antoanella Motoc.

Motoc explained that the former president was allowed to follow the hearing remotely because he had just made a long flight journey. The court proceeded to confirm his identity.

Duterte's lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, said at The Hague-based court that his client had been "abducted from his country."

"He was summarily transported to The Hague. To us lawyers, this would be called an extrajudicial rendition. To the less legally inclined, it's a pure and simple kidnapping," he said.

He also said that Duterte was experiencing "debilitating medical issues."

"Other than to identify himself, my client is not able to contribute anything this hearing," he added.

Duterte, 79, was detained on Tuesday morning upon his return to Manila from abroad, following an arrest warrant issued by the ICC over his "war on drugs" campaign, a move he has questioned.

He was surrendered to the custody of the ICC on Wednesday after being flown from Manila to the Netherlands. ■