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Ex- FBI head James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's attorney entered the answer on his behalf in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer declared he would attempt to have the legal matter terminated for multiple causes including that his the accused, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was formally accused soon after the former president pushed his attorney general to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald told the magistrate they planned to submit several petitions to throw out the case before a legal hearing, arguing the prosecution was spiteful and that a government lawyer was wrongfully designated to take over the case.

The former director's proceedings was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who resigned under scrutiny from the former president after his probe into a different political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

Mr Comey seemed in positive mood as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, chatting with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was supported by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child his daughter, a US lawyer who the previous administration terminated.

After listening to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he understood the charges.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the proceedings.

Historical Information

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about a few months into the former president's first term as commander-in-chief. At the time, he was leading an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Russia and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he declared just shortly prior to the national vote that he was investigating political contender Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Clinton were not filed, resulting in criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys claim Mr Comey lied to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he provided false information to the legislative body by saying he had not approved a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to journalistic entities information about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also allege the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, block and slow" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media James Comey shared to his social media after he was accused, he declared he was not guilty and alleged the former president of acting like a "autocrat".

"Our household have known for years that there are ramifications to challenging the former president," he commented. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

These allegations against the former director surfaced after Donald Trump posted on online platforms calling for his top legal official, Pam Bondi, prosecute the former director and additional individuals.