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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ICC prosecutor Khan disqualified from Duterte case

ICC prosecutor Khan disqualified from Duterte case

Published Oct 14, 2025 08:13 pm
International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Ahmed Khan (AP File Photos)
International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Ahmed Khan (AP File Photos)
The International Criminal Court (ICC) appeals judges have disqualified chief prosecutor Karim Khan from the crimes against humanity charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte because of conflict of interest.

This was according to several media agencies which cited a Reuters exclusive story, which also said that the ICC Appeals Chamber saw a possible bias on the part of Khan because of his previous role in the drug war proceedings.

A copy of the decision is yet to be made public.

The decision meant that Khan, who has been on leave since May as investigations are underway for his alleged sexual misconducted, cannot take part in the prosecution of the former president.

The former president’s defense team initially sought Khan’s disqualification in August after it pointed out a conflict of interest arising from his participation in aiding Duterte’s alleged victims in court.

Khan represented the Philippines Human Rights Commission (PHRC) in naming the former leader as a top suspect in the war on drugs crimes in the country.

Khan argued that there was no conflict of interest in his previous role at the PHRC and his present one as the chief prosecutor.

Duterte, who is facing a crimes against humanity of murder charges before the ICC, has been detained since March after being extradited to The Hague, Netherlands on the basis of an ICC warrant of arrest.

His interim release bid was recently rejected by the ICC’s pre-trial chamber after it noted the remarks made by his daughter about breaking him out from jail and his political influence back home, having won mayor of Davao City despite his detention.

Since Khan had been on leave since May, it has been ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang who has handled the Duterte case until the rejection of the interim release request.

The former president, last seen by the public via teleconference on March 14, was supposed to attend the confirmation of charges hearing on Sept. 23 but this was postponed by the pre-trial chamber after his defense team claimed he was unfit to stand trial.

The defense team is also seeking for an indefinite adjournment of all legal proceedings against Duterte, citing his deteriorating cognitive abilities. Nicholas Kaufman, his lead counsel, said that the former chief executive was having difficulties recalling events, dates, and names.

This is contrary to remarks made by Vice President Sara Duterte and other family members who have visited Duterte as they have all claimed he was okay and could even talk about politics and current events.

The ICC is expected to resolve Duterte’s medical issues by requesting a team of medical experts to examine and assess his capacity. A jurisdiction challenge is also still pending before the body.

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Karim Khan ICC Rodrigo Duterte conflict of interest disqualified
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