Barry Pollack, who secured Julian Assange’s release, represents Nicolás Maduro in New York

The captured Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, appeared in federal court in New York on Monday and pleaded not guilty, accompanied by Barry Pollack, a prominent US trial lawyer serving as his private counsel. Pollack is a partner at Harris St Laurent & Wechsler on Wall Street and spent years representing Julian Assange, ultimately securing the WikiLeaks founder’s release from a UK prison in 2024.

According to Chambers USA, Pollack is a “thorough and deep-thinking lawyer” who “lives, breathes and sleeps trials.” Harris St Laurent & Wechsler did not respond to requests for comment about Pollack’s involvement. Maduro was charged on Monday with drug-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices; the US government has labelled him a “narco-terrorist” and an “illegitimate president.” He faces up to life in prison.

In his first appearance representing Maduro, Pollack questioned the legality of Maduro’s abduction by US forces and argued Maduro is entitled to immunity as the head of a sovereign state, CNN reported. Pollack previously negotiated a plea deal that allowed Assange to walk free after pleading guilty to violating US espionage law, and has handled high-profile criminal defence and wrongful-conviction work.

Key Topics

World, Nicolás Maduro, Barry Pollack, Julian Assange, New York, Espionage Law