ICC rejects plea to release ex-President Duterte

Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, will remain in detention in The Hague, appeals judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled on Friday, dismissing defence arguments the 80-year-old should be released due to his advanced age and alleged declining health. Duterte, president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested and taken to The Hague in March over murders during his war on drugs when thousands of alleged narcotics peddlers and users were killed. The appeals judges shot down one request for provisional release on health grounds, meaning he will have to stay in court detention to await a possible trial.