“There has not been any fall recorded in the last thirty days.”
That’s the report of Marc Dubuisson, director of the Division of Judicial Services of the International Criminal Court, on behalf of Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler. It was dated May 20, referring to the documentation of the situation of former president Rodrigo Duterte at his detention cell in Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands.
The ICC’s Registry is responsible for the non-judicial aspects of the administration and servicing of the court. Its responsibilities include protection and support of witnesses and victims, support to the defense, assistance to victims appearing before the court, the ICC detention center, public information and security.
Duterte’s former counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, asked the Trial Chamber III on May 7 for the Registry to submit its observations based on video footage and documentation at the detention center to support the defense argument that circumstances have changed that merit reconsideration of Duterte’s request for interim release.
Kaufman also claimed that “Duterte has indeed informed his legal team and his immediate family that he has experienced frequent episodes of falls occasioned by a loss of balance.”
“Mr Duterte has lost his balance and collapsed several times while in detention and, on one occasion, was evacuated to hospital.” he added.
Dubuisson said Duterte had incidents of falling in the past. “On rare occasions where Mr Duterte did have a fall, ICC Detention Center custody staff were able to respond immediately to assist him, and immediately call for medical assessment.”
“Following these rare events, adjustments have been made to his cell, to better accommodate his comfort and movement and are adjusted as needed,” he added.
Dubuisson further said that from the perspective of management and operational security, the 81-year-old detainee’s movements are consistent with his age and mobility.
He confirmed that the former president, who has been in detention since March 12, 2025 , is under cell monitoring, pursuant to ICC regulations “for health and safety reasons.”
He said the ICC detention center staff have a dynamic insight into Duterte’s movements in the cell, which they discuss with the medical officer as part of the ongoing efforts to optimize his care while in detention.
“Ergonomic adjustments are made to the placement of items in his cell and in the visiting rooms in order to allow him to have more free and stable movement.”
The Registrar did not comment on Duterte’s chronic conditions “as they are part of Mr Duterte’s confidential medical record, to which the defence has confirmed it has access.”
Duterte is charged with crimes against humanity for the killings of an estimated 30,000 people linked to his anti-drugs campaign between Nov. 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019.
In another development, Pre-Trial Chamber 1, which confirmed all the charges against Duterte on March 23 rejected Kaufman’s March 29 request to appeal.
Kaufman has been replaced by a new lawyer, Peter Haynes and his associate, Kate Gibson.
