🔗 Share this article

Former FBI chief James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and impeding a congressional proceeding.

His legal representative submitted the plea representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the legal matter terminated for several reasons including that his the accused, a critic of former President Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was formally accused just days after Trump pushed his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer the legal representative advised the judge they planned to submit several petitions to throw out the proceedings before a trial, claiming the government's case was spiteful and that a US attorney was wrongfully designated to handle the legal matter.

The former director's case was initially overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into an additional opponent - the New York official - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey came across in positive mood as he walked into the legal venue on Wednesday, chatting with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his spouse, his wife and child Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the former government recently fired.

Following the reading to the judge read his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was inquired if he grasped the allegations.

"Absolutely your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the court.

Previous Events

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was fired about a few months into the former president's initial presidency as national leader. At the time, he was overseeing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey triggered a counter-response from liberal politicians when he declared just days before the 2016 election that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email system. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, causing disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he misled the legislative body by claiming he had not authorized an individual at the agency to release to journalistic entities information about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also accuse the defendant of "wrongfully trying to sway, block and delay" the legislative group by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media Mr Comey shared to his social media after he was indicted, he said he was wrongly accused and alleged the former president of behaving like a "dictator".

"We have known for considerable time that there are costs to standing up to Mr Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

These allegations against Mr Comey emerged after Trump posted on online platforms calling for his top legal official, the attorney general, prosecute Mr Comey and other people.