Fallen Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia arrived at a courthouse to be arraigned on four charges:
The arraignment likely won’t last long. It’s expected that the Maduros will plead not guilty, and the judge will keep them detained.
Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, 92, entered the courtroom.
Maduro is at the table, along with his wife Cilia, wearing headphones for translation.
Maduro calls himself the Venezuelan president, claiming he was kidnapped:
Maduro is standing and speaking in Spanish, saying he was captured at his home in Caracas, Venezuela. As he starts speaking rapidly, Judge Hellerstein interrupts, telling him “there will be time and place to get into all of this,” and that for now he is asking only for his identity. Maduro repeats that he is, in fact, Nicolás Maduro Moros.
Maduro responded, “I am the president of Venezuela. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.”
Yeah, you’re not in Venezuela. You are in America, Maduro, and we have rules in our courtroom.
Barry Pollack is representing Maduro. He once represented Julian Assange.
Maduro said, “I’m innocent. I’m not guilty. I am a decent man.”
Pollack told the court that Maduro is entering a not guilty plea. He’s also not seeking to be released right now.
Cilia also pleads not guilty, claims she’s “completely innocent.”
Hellerstein schedules the next hearing for March 17.
[Featured image via YouTube]
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