FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
"I am not guilty, I am a good man, I am still the president of my country"...
Venezuela's ousted president, Nicolas Maduro, has just entered court and shaken hands with his lawyers. He appeared wearing an orange shirt and a blue T-shirt with beige pants and orange slippers. He also had headphones on so he could hear the translation. His wife, Cilia Flores, sat two seats away, wearing similar prison garb.
Maduro has hired renowned American criminal defense attorney Barry Pollack to represent him in the criminal proceedings being conducted against him in the United States.
Barry Pollack, a household name in Washington and Manhattan legal circles, is particularly known for his long-term representation of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in some of the most complex international legal battles of recent years.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein opened the session by wishing those present in the courtroom a good morning and emphasizing that his goal is to have a transparent judicial process.
" My job is to make sure this is a fair trial ," he said.
The judge then began to describe the charges facing Maduro and his wife: "Narco-terrorism conspiracy; Conspiracy to import cocaine; Possession of machine guns and destructive devices; Conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices."
Nicolas Maduro stood as he was asked to confirm his name in court. He was read a summary of the indictment documents against him.
In his first public remarks since being extradited to the US, Maduro told the court that he is the president of Venezuela and that he was captured from his home in Caracas.
" I am not guilty, I am a good man, I am still the president of my country ," he continues, before sitting down again.
Attention in court turned to Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, who was also asked to stand and confirm her name.
" Yes, I am Cilia Flores Maduro, I am the first lady of Venezuela ," she told the court.
It's a tone similar to that of Maduro, who described himself as the president of Venezuela in the courtroom. Flores also pleaded not guilty to the charges, adding that she is "totally innocent."
The judge told Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores that they have the right to consult with consular officials, which was accepted by them.
" Yes, we understand and we would like to have a consular visit ," Maduro said, while the Judge confirms that this will be arranged.
We remind you that cameras are not allowed inside the courtroom and only a few journalists are allowed to send information directly from inside the courtroom./ Pamphlet
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