Maduro Seeks Dismissal Of U.S. Drug Charges
16 hours ago
Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are asking a federal judge to dismiss U.S. drug trafficking charges against them, arguing they are protected from prosecution by sovereign immunity.
In court papers filed Wednesday in Manhattan, Maduro’s attorneys argued that U.S. courts cannot criminally prosecute a foreign leader who was recognized by his own country as its sitting head of state when the charges were brought.
Flores’ attorneys separately argued that she is also protected from U.S. prosecution on sovereign immunity grounds.
Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged conspiracy to send cocaine into the United States. Prosecutors accuse Maduro of working with Venezuelan law enforcement to help drug traffickers move large quantities of cocaine into the country.
The couple is scheduled to stand trial June 1. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein has scheduled arguments on their motions to dismiss the indictment for Nov. 17.
In court papers filed Wednesday in Manhattan, Maduro’s attorneys argued that U.S. courts cannot criminally prosecute a foreign leader who was recognized by his own country as its sitting head of state when the charges were brought.
Flores’ attorneys separately argued that she is also protected from U.S. prosecution on sovereign immunity grounds.
Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged conspiracy to send cocaine into the United States. Prosecutors accuse Maduro of working with Venezuelan law enforcement to help drug traffickers move large quantities of cocaine into the country.
The couple is scheduled to stand trial June 1. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein has scheduled arguments on their motions to dismiss the indictment for Nov. 17.
