Tag

Sovereign Immunity

All articles tagged with #sovereign immunity

world29 days ago

Maduro and Wife Plead Not Guilty to US Torture Charges in New York

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to new US charges alleging they orchestrated a state-sponsored torture system. The couple, detained in New York since a January 2026 military raid, faced a superseding indictment that adds conspiracy to commit torture to existing drug trafficking counts. Judge Alvin Hellerstein entered the pleas after Maduro repeatedly interrupted proceedings to deny the accusations as 'false.' The trial has been delayed to June 2027, with defense attorneys continuing to assert sovereign immunity while prosecutors detail alleged methods including electric shock and asphyxiation.

via The Guardian|

#nicolas-maduro #sovereign-immunity #torture-charges

legal1 month ago•7 min saved

Utah’s broad immunity law may block Kirk family’s wrongful death suit against UVU

The family of Charlie Kirk faces significant legal hurdles in their wrongful death lawsuit against Utah Valley University (UVU) due to Utah’s expansive sovereign immunity statute. Although the family alleges severe security negligence, including ignored rooftop access warnings and inadequate staffing, legal experts note that Utah law shields government entities from liability even in cases involving recklessness if the claim arises from a battery. While the family possesses strong evidence of UVU’s failure to secure the event, the state’s immunity laws may prevent them from prevailing in court.

via Fox News|

#charlie-kirk #legal #sovereign-immunity

international-law2 months ago•18 min saved

Maduro invokes sovereign immunity to block 2027 U.S. drug trial

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have filed a motion to dismiss federal drug trafficking charges, arguing they possess sovereign immunity as the head of state and first lady of a recognized foreign government. The defense contends that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction over a sitting head of state and that the alleged actions were official state duties. While prosecutors maintain the charges are valid, legal experts note that the U.S. government has not recognized Maduro as legitimate since 2019, creating a significant legal hurdle for the defense. The case, which stems from a January 2026 military capture in Caracas, is scheduled for trial in June 2027 if the dismissal motion fails.

via The Washington Post|

#cilia-flores #international-law #nicolas-maduro

international-law2 months ago•74 min saved

Maduro’s legal team urges judge to drop drug charges, citing head-of-state immunity

Nicolás Maduro’s defense team has formally requested a New York federal judge to dismiss narcoterrorism and drug-trafficking charges, arguing that the former Venezuelan leader is protected by absolute sovereign immunity as a head of state. Prosecutors allege Maduro conspired with Venezuelan officials to move thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S. The case, which involves Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, is scheduled for trial in June 2027 if the dismissal motion fails.

via AP News|

#drug-trafficking #international-law #nicolas-maduro

international-law2 months ago•1 min saved

Maduro’s legal team invokes sovereign immunity to block 2027 US drug trial

Nicolas Maduro’s legal team has filed a motion in a Manhattan federal court to dismiss criminal drug trafficking charges, arguing that the former Venezuelan president is entitled to absolute sovereign immunity as a head of state. The case, which stems from a January 2026 US military raid in Caracas, is scheduled for trial on June 1, 2027, if the dismissal fails. While the defense contends that international law protects foreign leaders from prosecution for official acts, US legal experts note that Washington has not recognized Maduro’s legitimacy since 2019, creating a significant hurdle for the immunity claim. The motion tests the boundaries of US jurisdiction over foreign leaders and contrasts with the US government’s recent diplomatic and energy agreements with Maduro’s successor, Delcy Rodriguez.

via Al Jazeera|

#drug-trafficking #international-law #nicolas-maduro

world3 months ago•7 min saved

Maduro Heads to a New York Trial in 2027 Over Weapon and Drug Allegations

A New York judge has set the trial of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on weapon and drug charges to begin June 1, 2027, after their January capture in Caracas. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for November 17 as Maduro’s lawyers plan to invoke sovereign immunity to shield the former president.

via BBC|

#new-york #nicolas-maduro #sovereign-immunity

politics1 year ago•4 min saved

Supreme Court Considers Holocaust Survivors' Right to Sue Hungary

The U.S. Supreme Court appears skeptical about allowing Holocaust survivors to sue Hungary in American courts for property stolen during World War II. The case hinges on a narrow exception to sovereign immunity, which generally protects foreign nations from being sued in U.S. courts. Justices expressed concerns about the broader implications of such a decision, including potential foreign policy repercussions and the possibility of reciprocal lawsuits against the U.S. A decision in the case, Hungary v. Simon, is expected next year.

via CNN|

#holocaust #hungary #politics

politics3 years ago•3 min saved

DOJ Withdraws Defense of Trump in Carroll Rape Defamation Case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that it will no longer defend former President Donald Trump in the defamation lawsuit brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of rape. The DOJ's decision means that Trump will no longer be shielded from civil liability under the doctrine of sovereign immunity. The move comes after a federal appeals court suggested that Trump could be personally sued if his statements about Carroll were not made in service of the U.S. government. Carroll's lawsuit is set for trial in January 2024.

via CNBC|

#defamation-lawsuit #doj #donald-trump

legal3 years ago•3 min saved

ERCOT granted immunity from lawsuits over deadly Texas winter storm.

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages the state's power supply, is protected by sovereign immunity and cannot be sued for damages resulting from the 2021 winter storm that left more than 200 people dead. The 5-4 decision will likely dismiss thousands of lawsuits filed against ERCOT by Texans for deaths, injuries, and damages. The court's majority opinion stated that ERCOT qualifies for immunity because it provides an essential governmental service and should be held accountable by state regulators or the Legislature, not the courts.

via The Texas Tribune|

#ercot #lawsuits #legal