Ousted Venezuela leader Maduro pleads not guilty to torture

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 20:32 · Archive

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to torture political opponents in a US federal court.

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have pleaded not guilty to new charges of conspiring to torture political opponents in a US federal court. The indictment, brought last Thursday, significantly expanded the existing criminal case against Maduro, 63, and Flores, 70. They had previously pleaded not guilty to charges of abusing their power to help drug traffickers ship cocaine.

Maduro and Flores were captured by the US military in a January raid and flown to New York. At their arraignment before US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan federal court, they wore prison garb and were shackled at the ankles. Maduro told the judge that the accusations had been made previously and were false. 'I reject this document in its entirety,' he said of the indictment. Flores stated: 'I am completely innocent. I am not guilty.'

Prosecutors with the Manhattan US Attorney's office say Maduro directed Venezuelan officials to torture opposition politicians and military personnel accused of plotting against him to maintain power. Maduro and Flores are not accused of personally carrying out any acts of torture. If convicted on all charges, they would each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 50 years in prison. The trial start date has been postponed by two weeks to June 14, 2027.

How it is being reported

• Ex-Venezuela leader Maduro pleads not guilty to tortureEx-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says torture allegations against him and his wife in a rewritten drug trafficking indictment are false.Perth Now · 15 Oct, 20:04
• Ex-Venezuela leader Maduro pleads not guilty to tortureEx-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says torture allegations against him and his wife in a rewritten drug trafficking indictment are false.The West Australian · 15 Oct, 20:04

In this story: Nicolas Maduro · Cilia Flores · Venezuela · United States · Manhattan · Alvin Hellerstein

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