New York [US], March 27: Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was expected to appear in court for the second time on Thursday, nearly three months after his capture by US special forces.
During his first hearing in January, the 63-year-old declared himself not guilty of the charges brought by the US before the Federal Court in New York, and in return accused the United States of kidnapping him.
Thursday's hearing is part of the preliminary proceedings before a potential trial. On the night of January 3, US special forces captured the Venezuelan leader and his wife in the capital Caracas and brought them both to the US. He had led his country in an authoritarian manner at the head of a socialist government for years. The couple have been in prison ever since. The charges brought by the US include "drug terrorism." US authorities allege he used his office to facilitate the smuggling of large quantities of cocaine into the United States, in alliance with drug traffickers and for personal profit.
Source: Qatar Tribune
