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Previous FBI head James the former director has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's legal representative submitted the plea representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney announced he would try to have the legal matter thrown out for various factors including that his client, a critic of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was formally accused soon after Trump urged his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

In court on mid-week, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald told the magistrate they planned to present various petitions to throw out the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the government's case was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully appointed to handle the proceedings.

Mr Comey's case was originally managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under pressure from Trump after his probe into a different political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey came across in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his spouse, his wife and offspring his daughter, a US lawyer who the previous administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the magistrate read his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, James Comey was inquired if he grasped the charges.

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

Historical Information

The former director was the FBI Director from four years and was terminated about a few months into Trump's first administration as national leader. At the moment, he was overseeing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between Russia and the presidential campaign.

While in office, the director caused a counter-response from the Democratic party when he stated just immediately preceding the national vote that he was probing Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against the candidate were not pursued, resulting in disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government claim James Comey provided false information to US lawmakers during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he provided false information to the Senate by saying he had not permitted a person at the FBI to release to news outlets data about the government examinations.

Legal representatives also charge Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and impede" the panel by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

In a video James Comey posted to his Instagram after he was indicted, he stated he was wrongly accused and charged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have understood for considerable time that there are costs to standing up to the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I'm innocent," he stated further. "So let's have a trial."

The charges against Mr Comey surfaced after Donald Trump published on digital channels demanding his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, take legal action against the former director and additional individuals.