MANILA – Lawyer Nicholas Kaufman has officially withdrawn as lead counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court, according to documents submitted to the tribunal.
In his May 8 manifestation before ICC Trial Chamber III, Kaufman said Duterte had decided to appoint another lawyer to head his defense team as preparations for trial move forward.
The decision was relayed during a meeting between Duterte and his legal team on May 7. Court records showed the name of the incoming counsel was withheld from the public document.
Kaufman said the replacement lawyer had already confirmed readiness to assume the role immediately and finalize representation arrangements.
He added that Duterte’s defense would continue smoothly because of the incoming counsel’s experience in handling ICC-related cases, along with the support of the remaining members of the legal panel.
Kaufman’s engagement as Duterte’s lead lawyer expired at the end of March this year.
Also on May 8, the ICC granted the request of associate counsel Dov Jacobs to leave the defense team.
The tribunal said the changes form part of Duterte’s efforts to reorganize his legal representation before the start of full trial proceedings.
The ICC previously ruled that there are substantial grounds to believe Duterte may bear criminal responsibility for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the controversial anti-drug campaign conducted between November 2011 and March 2019.
ia/xf
