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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James Comey has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and hindering a legislative process.

The former director's attorney submitted the answer on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

The defense lawyer announced he would try to have the proceedings terminated for various factors including that his the accused, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was indicted soon after Donald Trump pressured his top legal official to proceed against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on mid-week, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald told the court they aimed to submit various motions to dismiss the proceedings before a trial, stating the government's case was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully designated to take over the case.

The former director's legal matter was originally handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his investigation into an additional opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Judicial Environment

James Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the court on Wednesday, speaking with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his wife, his wife and child his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the court read his rights and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, Mr Comey was inquired if he understood the charges.

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

Historical Information

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was dismissed about several months into Donald Trump's first term as national leader. At the moment, he was directing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey triggered a backlash from Democrats when he declared just immediately preceding the national vote that he was investigating political contender Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Clinton were never brought, resulting in criticism from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys assert the former director lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he misled the Senate by claiming he had not authorized an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to media organizations details about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also allege Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, hinder and impede" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was charged, he said he was not guilty and alleged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"Our household have understood for years that there are costs to opposing the former president," he said. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he added. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

The accusations against Mr Comey surfaced after the former president published on social media calling for his top legal official, Ms Bondi, take legal action against the former director and others.