Duterte refuses to attend ICC pre-trial hearing, as former Philippine leader’s ‘drug war’ case begins

Duterte, 80, is accused of crimes against humanity over an anti-drugs crackdown in which thousands of people were killed in south-east Asian country

The pre-trial hearing for former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte for his alleged role in a deadly “drug war” is set to begin at the international criminal court on Monday, despite his refusal to attend the proceedings.

Duterte, 80, who was arrested in Manila and flown to The Hague last year, is accused of crimes against humanity over an anti-drugs crackdown in which thousands of people were killed.