ICC Freezes Funds Seized From Ex-Philippine President Duterte

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ordered the freezing of money seized from former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The court's Trial Chamber III approved a prosecution request to freeze "any money that had been seized" from Duterte after his arrest, according to media reports citing court filings. The exact amount of the seized funds was not disclosed in the public filings. Duterte's legal team had argued that the freeze order was unnecessary, as the funds were already in ICC custody. However, prosecutors are seeking access to additional items seized from the former president. While his defense lawyers did not object to inspecting some items, they requested judges block access to keys held by the ICC. Duterte, 80, has been detained at the ICC detention facility in The Hague since March. He faces three counts of crimes against humanity allegations related to killings during his administration's controversial drug war between 2011 and 2019. He denies all accusations.