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Previous FBI head James Comey has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to lawmakers and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's legal representative submitted the plea acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

His attorney declared he would seek to have the legal matter dismissed for multiple reasons including that his defendant, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was formally accused just days after Donald Trump pressured his attorney general to move forward against him.

Court Developments

In court on mid-week, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald informed the judge they aimed to file various legal requests to throw out the case before a trial, claiming the legal action was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully designated to assume control of the case.

The former director's case was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

Mr Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the courtroom on Wednesday, chatting with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his partner, his wife and child Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration dismissed.

Upon hearing to the magistrate state his rights and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was inquired if he understood the charges.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he told the judge.

Historical Information

The former director was the head of the FBI from four years and was dismissed about several months into Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the period, the director was leading an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Russia and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, the director triggered a counter-response from Democrats when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was probing presidential nominee the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against the candidate were not pursued, leading to disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors allege Mr Comey lied to Congress during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he misled the Senate by stating he had not authorized an individual at the FBI to leak to news outlets data about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also charge Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to sway, obstruct and slow" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

In a video James Comey shared to his Instagram after he was indicted, he said he was innocent and accused Donald Trump of behaving like a "autocrat".

"We have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to opposing Donald Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

The accusations against Mr Comey emerged after Trump posted on digital channels insisting on his attorney general, Pam Bondi, take legal action against James Comey and others.