Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have rejected a request from former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to be released from detention, finding he was likely to refuse to return for trial and could use his freedom to intimidate witnesses.

Prosecutors at the ICC accuse Mr Duterte of crimes against humanity for the deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he oversaw while in office, first as the mayor of a southern city and later as president.

Mr Duterte's legal team asked a pre-trial panel of judges to release the octogenarian, arguing he was in frail health and his condition was deteriorating in the court's detention unit in The Hague.

Top crimes court charges Philippines' ex-leader Duterte with murder involvement Photo shows Rodrigo Duterte' in a white jacket, with red stripes,

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