The arrest represents a significant victory for the I.C.C., but only a narrow set of circumstances made it possible.

The former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, appeared before judges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Friday, days after his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to the deadly “war on drugs” that he oversaw while in office.

The former leader of the Philippines has been charged with crimes against humanity after thousands of civilians were killed during his time in office.

By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE - Following a request from the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Philippines arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte due to an investigation into thousands of killings in a violent crackdown on drugs that was the hallmark of his rule.

In an International Criminal Court hearing in The Hague, Rodrigo Duterte's lawyer calls the politician's arrest in Manila 'pure and simple kidnapping.'

Ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested Tuesday on an Interpol arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court amid accusations that he committed crimes against humanity during his war on drugs.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, 79, appeared at the court hearing on a video screen from a nearby detention centre in The Hague. View on euronews