ISTANBUL 

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is set to ask a US federal judge to dismiss narco-terrorism charges on Thursday, arguing that Washington has interfered with his ability to mount a legal defense, said US press reports.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein initially scheduled the hearing to allow lawyers for Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores to review the evidence, outline pretrial motions, and potentially set a trial timeline.

At the hearing, Maduro is expected to seek dismissal of the case amid a dispute over legal fees, as his lawyer Barry Pollack cannot receive payment from Venezuela without a US sanctions waiver that has yet to be granted.

Pollack said the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control first approved and then revoked a license allowing Venezuela to pay his fees, noting that due to US sanctions on Maduro and the Venezuelan government, such payments require official authorization.

He argued the reversal violates Maduro’s constitutional right to a proper defense, a position also backed by Flores’ lawyer, adding that if the case is not dismissed, they are seeking a hearing to examine the government’s decision-making.

Prosecutors said the license had been issued in error and later revoked, adding that Maduro and his wife are still allowed to use their personal funds in Venezuela to cover legal costs.

Lawyers said Maduro faces slim chances of accessing funds for his defense, though he is entitled to a court-appointed lawyer as he and his wife deny long-running drug and weapons charges while in US custody.

Pollack has indicated he will also challenge the legality of Maduro’s arrest and argue he is immune from prosecution, claiming the alleged offenses occurred while he was serving as president.

Maduro and his wife remain in federal custody in New York after a Jan. 3 capture during a US military operation in Caracas and subsequent indictment on narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking charges.