Convoy believed to be transporting Maduro [UPI=Yonhap News]

The criminal trial of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was extradited to the United States, is scheduled to begin in earnest next June, according to reports by the New York Times (NYT) and others on the 22nd (local time).

According to the reports, Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York decided during a pre-trial conference held that day that the criminal trial for former President Maduro and his wife, who are charged with offenses including narco-terrorism conspiracy, will commence on June 1 of next year.

Former President Maduro appeared in court that day wearing a beige prison jumpsuit and listened to proceedings through headphones provided with Spanish interpretation.

Former President Maduro and his wife were arrested on January 3 in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, during a surprise U.S. military operation and subsequently extradited to New York. They are currently being held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn, New York City.

Previously, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York had indicted former President Maduro on four charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy.

Judge Hellerstein’s decision to schedule the main trial for approximately 10 months from now is interpreted as being due to the highly unusual nature of the case and the numerous legal issues that must be resolved before the trial can begin.

Former President Maduro has denied all criminal charges, claiming that he was illegally kidnapped by the United States.

In addition, defense counsel for the former president argues that the court should dismiss the case, claiming that Maduro is entitled to immunity as a head of state.

Judge Hellerstein is scheduled to hold a hearing on these arguments from the Maduro side this coming November.