MANILA — The International Criminal Court (ICC) trial chamber has indicated that detained former President Rodrigo Duterte should personally attend the September 7 status conference in connection with his crime against humanity case.

During the second status conference on June 23, ICC Trial Chamber III Presiding Judge Joanna Korner said Duterte had only been excused from attending the recent hearing because it was expected to be brief. Duterte was absent from the proceedings and was represented by his legal counsel, Peter Haynes.

“I’d rather feel the one on the 7th of September—because by then we’ll have had the reports—is likely to be an important one. And for that, certainly, Mr. Haynes, we would expect Mr. Duterte to be here, unless there’s some medical issue,” Korner said.

Korner said the panel of experts tasked to examine Duterte is expected to submit its reports by Aug. 18, while parties and participants in the case have until Aug. 31 to file their observations.

Aside from discussing deadlines related to the expert panel’s findings, the June 23 conference also tackled protocols governing the handling of confidential information.

The presiding judge reminded all counsels to avoid commenting publicly on matters related to the proceedings.

She cited concerns over comments previously made by former defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman, noting that he had earlier been reminded by the court to remain respectful and courteous.

“Regrettably, that reminder had no effect. On 26th April of this year, after the Appeals Chamber had made its decision on jurisdiction, Kaufman gave at least two interviews commenting on the decision,” Korner said.

“Some of those comments were his personal view of legal decisions made by the court as a whole, and were, on any showing, wholly inappropriate, the more so when made by counsel in the case,” she said.

As preparations for trial continue, Korner reiterated the reminder to both the defense and prosecution teams.

“The appropriate forum for counsel to raise matters is in the courtroom. Trials are not conducted by the court of public opinion, but by this court during the course of the proceedings,” she said.

Korner also warned that the case has generated not only significant media coverage but also the spread of what she described as fake news.

The next status conference is scheduled for July 14. Additional meetings are set for Sept. 7, Oct. 13, and Nov. 2 ahead of the start of trial on Nov. 30.