A hearing of the ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores has just begun at a New York court in Manhattan.
The arrested president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, entered the courtroom and shook hands with his attorneys. He was wearing an orange T-shirt and a blue shirt over it, beige pants, and orange slippers, and he also had headphones so he could follow the translation. The judge also entered the courtroom, marking the start of the preliminary hearing at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan courthouse in Manhattan. Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores appeared before the federal court for an initial hearing on charges of narco-terrorism.
Before the start of the proceedings, court officers thoroughly inspected Maduro’s chair and the area around the defense table to ensure there were no prohibited items. Attorney Barry Pollack, who represented Maduro, shook hands with the prosecutors, while the other members of the defense team took their places at two tables opposite the prosecution.
Maduro faced charges of conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of weapons and destructive devices, as well as conspiracy to possess weapons and destructive devices.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein wished everyone in the courtroom good morning and explained his role.
“My job is to ensure that this is a fair trial,” he said.
He then began to read out the charges, which we listed above.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein asked Nicolás Maduro to identify himself.
“I am the president of Venezuela, I was arrested in my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” Maduro said in the courtroom.
Hellerstein told him that he has the right to a lawyer free of charge if he cannot afford one and that he may be released before trial unless there is a reason that should not be the case.
“I did not know about these rights, you have now informed me of them,” Maduro said.
After a summary of the charges against him was read, the ousted Venezuelan leader Maduro pleaded not guilty before the federal court in New York.
“I am not guilty,” Maduro said when Judge Hellerstein asked how he pleaded.
“I am a decent man. I am still the president of my country,” Maduro added.
Attention in the courtroom then shifted to Nicolás Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, who was asked to stand and confirm her name.
“Yes, I am Cilia Flores Maduro, I am the first lady of Venezuela,” she told the court.
This echoed a similar tone to that of Maduro, who specifically emphasized in the courtroom that he is the president of Venezuela.
Flores also stated that she is not guilty of the charges, adding in Spanish that she is “completely innocent.”
The judge then informed Maduro and his wife that they have the right to speak with the Venezuelan consulate. Both defendants requested such a visit.
Maduro said: “Yes, we understand and we would like that consular visit to take place.”
Flores replied: “Yes, I understand and I would like that consular visit to be carried out.”
Hellerstein then ordered the prosecutors to provide the defense attorneys with the customary discovery in the case.
“I understood and I am taking notes,” Maduro said when asked whether he could follow the proceedings.
“I would like my notes to be respected and to be allowed to keep them,” Maduro said through an interpreter.
Both Maduro and his wife are wearing dark prison uniforms. There is one empty seat between them.
Hellerstein said that he believes Maduro has the right to keep his notes. One prosecutor added that they would work with the defense attorneys and U.S. marshals to resolve the issue.
“Mr. Maduro is not currently seeking release,” his attorney told the judge regarding bail.
Flores’s attorney also said that she would not seek bail at this time. Their attorneys stated that they would file a request later.
Pollack said that he expects an “extensive court debate on motions,” stating that Maduro is the leader of a sovereign state and is entitled to the privileges and immunity of that position.
Pollack added that there are also legal issues regarding the legality of his military abduction.
Pollack noted to the judge that “there are certain health and medical issues” concerning Maduro “that will require attention.”
Attorney Mark Donnelly said that “as you can see,” Flores sustained “serious injuries during the abduction.”
He suggested that she may have a fracture or severe bruising to her ribs and that she will need a medical evaluation.
The hearing then concluded.
The next hearing will be held on March 17 at 11 a.m. local time, or 5 p.m. Central European Time.
At the end, Maduro shook hands with his attorney before standing up to leave the courtroom.
He handed his notes to a U.S. marshal who escorted him out of the courtroom. The marshal examined the papers that Maduro handed over.
Maduro and his wife then left the courtroom, both dressed in the same prison uniforms: dark shirts and khaki pants.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MADURO’S ARREST:
Source: Telegraf, Foto: Printscreen X