2023-11-13 07:39:27
Filipino human rights defender Leila de Lima was released on bail on Monday, announced the lawyer of this fierce opponent of former President Duterte (2016-2022) who had been in detention for more than six years. “Bail has been granted,” Filibon Tacardon said in a message sent to the press. “We are delighted, happy. Madame (de Lima) cried,” he said as he left the court.
The former senator and justice minister had been incarcerated since February 2017 on drug trafficking charges, which she and human rights groups called a travesty of justice and revenge. The 64-year-old activist is accused of accepting money from detainees and allowing them in exchange to sell drugs during her time as Minister of Justice (2010-2015), under President by Benigno Aquino.
Two witnesses died and others recanted, saying they were forced to make accusations once morest him. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded in 2018 that Leila de Lima’s detention was “arbitrary, given the absence of a legal basis” and that her right to a fair trial was not “respected “.
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