92-year-old US judge handling Maduro case dies

Alvin Hellerstein, the 92-year-old US judge presiding over the trial of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, has passed away. The US District Court, Southern District of New York, confirmed his death. Hellerstein, one of the nation's oldest federal judges, had faced questions about his suitability to oversee what could be a lengthy trial.

His extensive career included presiding over civil cases stemming from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. He famously rejected unfair plea deals and clashed with then-President Donald Trump over handling of cases. In 2015, Hellerstein ordered the release of photos depicting detainee abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He also presided over a trial where BNP Paribas was found responsible for aiding former Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir, awarding $20.75 million in damages. Hellerstein represented Maduro for over a decade, culminating in his seizure by US forces in January. A graduate of Columbia University law school, Hellerstein served as a military lawyer before entering private practice. He was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1998 to serve as a district court judge in New York.