ICC grants Kaufman’s request to withdraw as DU30 counsel
The Trial Chamber (TC) III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted Nicholas Kaufman’s request to withdraw as the counsel of former President Rodrigo Duterte in his crimes against humanity case.
“Having considered the present stage of the proceedings and the aforementioned factors, the Chamber is of the view that no prejudice arises or inconvenience is caused by accepting Mr. Kaufman’s withdrawal,” the chamber said in its 5-page decision on Monday.
However, it still reminded the British Israeli lawyer of his continuing obligations under the Code of Professional Conduct for counsel, as well as any confidentiality obligations under the Rome Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
Kaufman filed the request on May 8, citing his client’s desire to hire another counsel. He said he had already spoken with his replacement—who was not identified in the public and redacted version of his request—and referred to only as “he.”
He added that the new counsel is prepared to immediately assume Duterte’s representation and would be able to attend the case’s next status conference on May 27.
Trial preparations
The status conference marks the formal start of the proceedings at the trial stage, as parties were asked to submit documents and materials, including evidence that will be used during the trial proper.
Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague, the Netherlands under the ICC’s custody, faces three counts of crimes against humanity due to his administration’s bloody war against drugs, which killed at least 6,000 people as reflected in government records. Rights groups, however, say the actual number may be more than 30,000.
The former president tapped Kaufman to represent him before the ICC for a year, which ended on March 31.
