Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested on ICC Warrant for Crimes Against Humanity

Duterte, known for his violent anti-drug campaign, is the first Asian leader detained by the International Criminal Court, facing charges over thousands of killings during his presidency.

• Rodrigo Duterte, 79, was arrested in Manila and transferred to The Hague, where he will face charges of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign.
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) accuses Duterte of overseeing thousands of extrajudicial killings, with rights groups estimating up to 30,000 deaths, many involving impoverished individuals.
• Duterte's arrest marks a historic first for an Asian leader and follows years of taunting the ICC and denying its jurisdiction over the Philippines.
• The arrest was facilitated by Interpol cooperation, despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirming the legal compliance of the process.
• Human rights advocates and families of victims have expressed cautious optimism, viewing the arrest as a step toward accountability, though the judicial process at the ICC is expected to be lengthy.

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