The Hague, The Netherlands – The International Criminal Court’s detention center (Scheveningen Prison), where former President Rodrigo Duterte is detained will be observing court holidays on December 25 and 26, 2025 so visits may not be allowed on these days.

Unless the defense succeeds in negotiating special permission, Duterte’s Christmas will be spent within the confines of his detention room.

Duterte’s lead legal counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, confirmed this possibility, noting that the former president deeply wishes to spend the holidays with his family.

“He wishes to spend Christmas with his family, as anyone would want to spend Christmas. He knows that he has a huge base of supporters outside who respect the International Criminal Court and wouldn’t dream of interfering with the proceedings that are going on, quite contrary to submissions which are made by the Office of the Prosecutor,” he said.

“So all I can say to the base of supporters is that hold fast, be strong, and if you wish to show your support, send flowers, send presents. Do as you did when he had his birthday. I’m sure it will cheer him up, ” Kaufman says.

Although detainees may receive visits from a spiritual guide or a local priest — especially significant for Catholic detainees — regular family visits remain uncertain during the official holidays.

“On the actual Christmas day itself, Boxing Day, these are official court holidays, so no visits, unfortunately, are allowed at all. However, we are going to try and change that because we believe that the former president should be with his family on Christmas, and we will fight for that,” Kaufman says.

“What the court decides, obviously, is a different matter. We will do our best to make sure that that happens, but unfortunately, I can’t be too optimistic, but we do our best.” Kaufman adds.

On Friday, November 28, the Appeals Chamber rejected the Defence’s request for an interim release, upholding the Pre-trial court’s decision to keep Duterte in detention at the ICC Detention Center while awaiting trial for crimes against humanity.

The Appeals Chamber also rejected the defense’s argument that Duterte should be released for humanitarian considerations. Kaufman had insisted that Duterte’s fragile health and cognitive challenges make him unlikely to flee.

Kaufman said, “He’s 80 years old. He’s cognitively impaired. We will fight on. We hope that the evaluation of the medical experts will prove that we are right in our submissions. We work with that man on a daily basis, and we find it extremely difficult because of the impediments that he’s facing.”

In a recent interview, visiting family member Cong. Omar Duterte said they are still working out the holiday visitation schedule for the former president.