Ex-Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has bid to dismiss narco-terrorism charges rejected in New York court
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were indicted on narco-terrorism charges after being seized in Caracas by the US military in January
Former leader of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, has had his bid to dismiss narco-terrorism charges rejected in a New York court.
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The court heard details of Maduro's request for the trial to be dismissed because the US has blocked him from accessing cash to pay for his lawyers.
Maduro’s attorney Barry Pollack has argued for his client’s right to counsel.
Mr Pollack said that Maduro has a right to use funds from the Venezuelan government to pay for his defence of choice, and that he cannot afford counsel otherwise. Also, he said, there’s no allegation that the funds are tainted.
However, US District Judge Alvin made the ruling on Thursday afternoon and said: "I'm not going to dismiss the case."
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But the judge added the decision could be revisited if he later finds that the US arbitrarily decided to block Venezuela from paying the legal fees.
He concluded by saying: "Thank you very much for excellent arguments. I hope to get this out as soon as I can."
Lawyers acting for Maduro and his wife will then be able to make their application to dismiss again.
Outside the courthouse, New York police have contained pro and anti- Maduro protesters in separate pens next to each other.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were indicted on “narco-terrorism” charges after being seized in Caracas by the US military in January.
Throughout the 90-minute hearing, the couple were seated at the defence table wearing headphones, while appearing to write notes as lawyers for each side addressed the judge.
Prosecutors in the case claim Maduro and his wife had already "plundered" Venezuela’s wealth for their "own benefit".
Maduro faces charges of:
- Narco-terrorism conspiracy
- Cocaine importation conspiracy
- Possession of machine guns and destructive devices
- And conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the US
Maduro, who has been detained at the Brooklyn Detention Center since his arrest in January and denies all wrongdoing, could face the death penalty if convicted.