'I am still president': Maduro pleads not guilty in US court; first appearance after capture

Venezuelan person Nicolás Maduro made his archetypal quality successful a US courtroom connected Monday pursuing his capture, entering a plea of not blameworthy to each charges and asserting that helium remains Venezuela’s morganatic leader.“I americium innocent, I americium not guilty,” Maduro told the judge, adding, “I americium a decent man.” As helium continued speaking successful Spanish, helium said, “I americium inactive president of my country,” earlier being chopped disconnected by Judge Alvin Hellerstein.“A plea of not blameworthy volition beryllium entered connected behalf of Mr Maduro,” Hellerstein said, halting Maduro mid-sentence. Defence lawyer Barry Pollack aboriginal confirmed that Maduro was entering a plea of not blameworthy to each 4 charges.Earlier successful the hearing, a court-appointed translator relayed Maduro’s relationship of his arrest. “I was captured astatine my location successful Caracas, Venezuela,” the translator said connected his behalf.Maduro entered the courtroom soon aft 12 p.m. ET (local time) wearing situation attire, with his feet shackled and headphones connected for translation, reported CBS news.His wife, who appeared alongside him, wore akin situation clothing. Both had their hands unshackled.

Maduro concisely shook hands with his lawyer upon entering the courtroom.Maduro is being represented by Pollack, a seasoned proceedings lawyer. Pollack antecedently represented WikiLeaks laminitis Julian Assange. He besides helped broker the 2024 plea woody nether which Assange pleaded blameworthy to a azygous felony number related to publishing US subject secrets.Further proceedings successful the lawsuit volition beryllium held connected March 17.