#Pollack says #Maduro has health problems that will require attention, & #CiliaFlores’ lawyer Mark #Donnelly said Flores sustained significant injuries including severe bruising on her ribs & asked that she be provided x-rays & a physical evaluation.

Judge #Hellerstein says he will see everyone in court on March 17 for the next hearing. The defendants are being led out.

The arraignment has concluded.

#MafiaState #law #criminal #Trump #abduction #Venezuela #oil #sovereignty #InternationalLaw 🧵

#Maduro, having been stopped earlier from speaking freely, is more tentatively testing his limits here in court. He tells the judge that he “would like to ask that my notes be respected and that I be allowed to keep them.” Judge #Hellerstein, sounding a little surprised, says, “I believe you are entitled to keep them.”

Maduro’s lawyer, Barry #Pollack, says he is “not seeking release at this time” on bail but that he may later.

#MafiaState #law #criminal #Trump #Venezuela #oil #sovereignty 🧵

#Maduro is standing & speaking in Spanish, saying he was captured at his home in Caracas, #Venezuela.

“I am innocent, I am not guilty, I am a decent man, I am still president of my country,” Maduro said speaking rapidly. Judge #Hellerstein interrupts, telling him “there will be time & place to get into all of this,” & for now he is asking only for his identity. Maduro repeats that he is, in fact, Nicolás Maduro Moros.

#MafiaState #law #criminal #Trump #abduction #oil #InternationalLaw 🧵

Judge #Hellerstein says that it is his job to ensure a fair proceeding & a fair #trial, if it comes to that. “That’s my job & that’s my intent,” he says. He is now summarizing the indictment.

The judge asks #Maduro to identify himself. Maduro does so, in Spanish, calling himself the president of the republic of #Venezuela, & saying he is here, “#kidnapped.”

#MafiaState #law #criminal #Trump #abduction #CiliaFlores #Venezuela #oil #sovereignty #InternationalLaw 🧵