British ICC lawyer Nicholas Kaufman confident of Duterte's acquittal

THE HAGUE–British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman has said he is confident about giving the “strongest defense” for former President Rodrigo Duterte in the latter’s case before the International Criminal Court.

In a short interview following his visit to the former president, Kaufmann said he was “very confident about the strongest defense and I’m very confident [Duterte would] be acquitted indeed, even at the earliest stage.”

Kaufman said he was “formally appointed as of yesterday” as part of Duterte’s defense team, and that the ICC’s confirmation is “something that might be introduced to the court system today.”

He did not comment on which other legal counsel to be included in the defense.

“At the present moment in time, I’ve just been appointed. It is my job and I’m privileged to carry this job out to compose the team for him. That would obviously be done in complete consultation with him and all those around him,” Kaufman said.

Kaufman also said he “certainly hope[s] so” when asked about how confident he was to be able to bring home Duterte.

Kaufman told GMA Integrated News that “there will be petitions obviously” when asked about filing petitions before the hearing of confirmation of charges against Duterte on September 23.

“Once again, it’s not for me to comment on the defense strategy at this moment in time.”

Nearly an hour before Kaufman left the Hague Penitentiary Institution, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea was taken into hospital. It was not immediately clear what happened to Medialdea, and Kaufman did not also give other details.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to go into details concerning Atty. Bingbong [Medialdea]’s condition at the moment. It’s an issue of medical privacy,” Kaufman said.

In a statement, the Philippine Embassy in The Hague said Medialdea was “currently receiving treatment” at a hospital in The Hague. 

Meanwhile, Kaufman told reporters that Duterte was "in good spirits.”

“He’s being taken care of by appropriate services,” Kaufman said.

“I’m available to visit the former president as long as I am here [and] as long as I am allowed to do so. I promised him that I’d come every day that I’m in The Hague.” –NB, GMA Integrated News