Yesterday – on January 5, the first court hearing in the case of Venezuela's overthrown president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores was held. They are accused of cocaine trafficking to the United States. On January 3, the US conducted a military operation in Venezuela, during which Maduro and his wife Flores were abducted and taken to America.
The hearing took place in the federal court for the Southern District of New York.
Modern.az reports, citing foreign media, that Maduro was brought into the courtroom without handcuffs on his hands, but with shackles on his ankles.
Maduro was wearing orange shoes, beige trousers, and an orange shirt.
He spoke in Spanish and used an interpreter.
The trial of Maduro and his wife is presided over by 92-year-old Judge Alvin Hellerstein. He is known for his previous rulings against US President Donald Trump. For example, he rejected Trump's attempts to overturn the verdict in the case concerning payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, and also ruled that Trump's order to deport Venezuelan migrants was unconstitutional.
Maduro and Flores are accused of narcoterrorism, cocaine supply to the US, possession of machine guns and destructive weapons, and conspiracy.
Maduro declared his innocence. "I am the President of Venezuela, I consider myself a prisoner of war. I was seized from my home in Caracas. I am innocent!”, he stated in court.
His wife, Cilia Flores, also declared her innocence.
Maduro and his wife's rights are defended by lawyers Barry Pollack and Mark Donnelly.
Maduro's lawyers stated that he is the head of a sovereign state and possesses immunity.
According to CNN, Maduro's lawyers reported that he has health problems. The lawyers stated that Cilia Flores' ribs were broken or severely damaged during the abduction.
Lawyer Pollack described his client's arrest as military kidnapping.
The court agreed to allow visits by Venezuelan consular officials, as legally required, to Maduro.
The next court hearing will be held on March 17.
According to American media, Maduro's trial will not begin before 2027. On January 5, the judge only approved the schedule for evidence exchange and preliminary motions.
