THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) 鈥� Judges at the said on Wednesday that the trial of former Philippine President for crimes against humanity will start on Nov. 30.
According to prosecutors, the ex-leader is responsible for dozens of murders, allegedly overseeing , first as mayor of the southern Philippine city of Davao and later as president.
鈥淭he expediency of the trial is of the upmost importance,鈥� presiding Judge Joanna Korner said, rejecting requests from the registry of the court to delay the start date over concerns about a lack of translators.
Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, and flown to The Hague, where the global court is located. He denies the charges against him.
Korner urged court staff to ensure interpretation was available into languages spoken in the Philippines, including Tagalog. English and French are the official languages of the court.
Estimates of the death toll during Duterte鈥檚 presidential term vary, from the more than 6,000 that the national police have reported to up to 30,000 claimed by human rights groups.
Duterte has not been present in the courtroom for any hearings, having waived his right to appear. Last month judges found he , after over concerns about his health.
Earlier this month, the court for , who served as national police chief under Duterte and helped carry out his anti-drug crackdowns in which thousands of mostly petty suspects were killed.
Dela Rosa has gone into hiding following that included gunfire. He is being hunted by Philippine authorities, who have vowed to turn him over to the court.
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