Ex-Philippine leader Duterte ruled fit to face trial

Judges at the International ‍Criminal Court have ruled octogenarian former Philippines president Rodrigo ​Duterte is fit to attend pre-trial hearings and will ⁠hold a confirmation of charges hearing on February 23.

Duterte's defence had said the elderly politician, who is being held in The ‌Hague over murders ​during his war on drugs, could not stand ‍trial due to cognitive decline.

Judges said in a statement on Monday that a report by independent medical experts found Duterte would be able to understand and participate ​in his case.

They recalled that ‌for someone to be deemed fit to take part in their ​case it is enough that they have ‍a broad understanding of the procedures, not that they operate at their highest level.

"The Chamber is ​satisfied, ​in law, that ​Mister Duterte is able effectively to ​exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings," the judges said.

They also set a new date for his confirmation of charges hearing, an important step towards a trial.