Venezuela's Maduro asserts immunity, urges US judge to dismiss charges
NEW YORK: Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged a US judge on Wednesday to dismiss criminal drug trafficking charges against him, arguing he should be immune from prosecution as the head of a sovereign country.
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro requested on Wednesday a US judge dismiss drug trafficking charges against him, arguing he is immune from prosecution as head of a sovereign nation. The charges led to the US military's Jan 3 raid on Caracas and his capture. Maduro, held in a Brooklyn jail since, is to stand trial if he fails to dismiss the case by his scheduled hearing on June 1, 2027.
The principle of heads of state immunity from prosecution abroad is a longstanding international law tenet seen as vital to diplomacy. Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, argued in court that the principle applies to Maduro and that the acts he is accused of were part of his official duties. US legal experts say Maduro faces a challenging prospect, citing the rarity of US criminal cases against foreign leaders. However, there is little precedent to support Maduro's claims.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Venezuela’s Maduro asserts immunity, asks US judge to dismiss charges freemalaysiatoday.com
- Ex-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and wife seek to end drug charges case on immunity grounds winnipegfreepress.com
- Maduro Asks US Court to Dismiss Charges in Drug-Trafficking Case bloomberg.com
- Venezuela’s Maduro asserts immunity in US court, urges dismissal of charges aljazeera.com
- Venezuela's Maduro asserts immunity, urges US judge to dismiss charges channelnewsasia.com
