Ex-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s defense proposes June 2027 trial ahead of Manhattan trial | Today’s news

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was arrested from his home by US officials along with his wife and taken to New York, has proposed starting his criminal trial in the US in June 2027, according to a Reuters report. US Department of Justice prosecutors have also proposed the same date.

This comes as Maduro’s case is set to be heard in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday at 12 noon EDT (1600 GMT).

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein may set a timetable for the case as early as Wednesday.

Both the defense and the prosecution have also proposed that in addition to the June 2027 trial date, Maduro’s side will file a motion to dismiss the case against him based on sovereign immunity by September, and that oral arguments in that regard be scheduled for the month of November. The former Venezuelan president’s next pretrial motions are due in January.

The case so far

Maduro and his wife. Cilia Flores, were captured from their home in Caracas in a nighttime raid by US special forces in January. They were then taken to New York to face the charges, to which they both pleaded not guilty.

Lawyers for both the defense and the prosecution said in their filings that the first round of legal motions by Maduro to try to have his case dismissed are scheduled for Sept. 2. This would in all likelihood include a motion to dismiss the case against him based on the fact that he was the head of a sovereign state when he was captured by the United States.

Maduro would then proceed to file another round of legal motions until Jan. 11, once prosecutors turn over any classified evidence for the defense to review, according to the filing.

This is a developing story. Check back later for more updates.