Appeals judges ​at the International ‌Criminal ⁠Court (ICC) on Wednesday confirmed the ‌court has jurisdiction ‌over the ‌former president of ‌the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, bringing a ⁠trial ‌over his alleged pivotal role in the ‌murder of thousands ​of people a step closer.

The judges confirmed a lower ⁠court ruling that ⁠the ⁠case could continue and ​rejected ​Duterte's ‌lawyer's demands to ‌end the case ⁠and immediately release the 81-year-old.