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Ex- FBI head James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and impeding a congressional proceeding.

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

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would seek to have the proceedings thrown out for several factors including that his client, a detractor of former President Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was formally accused shortly after Trump urged his attorney general to move forward against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on mid-week, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they aimed to file several legal requests to dismiss the proceedings before a trial, arguing the prosecution was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully assigned to assume control of the proceedings.

James Comey's proceedings was originally managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under influence from the former president after his probe into another political adversary - the New York official - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey came across in positive mood as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, chatting with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his spouse, Patrice Failor and daughter his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the former government dismissed.

Upon hearing to the magistrate state his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, James Comey was asked if he grasped the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the court.

Previous Events

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was fired about four months into the former president's first administration as president. At the period, he was leading an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

While in office, James Comey sparked a counter-response from Democrats when he announced just immediately preceding the national vote that he was examining presidential nominee Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not filed, resulting in negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government claim the former director gave untrue statements to the legislature during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he misled the legislative body by claiming he had not authorized someone at the FBI to leak to news outlets information about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also charge Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, hinder and slow" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording Mr Comey shared to his online platform after he was accused, he stated he was innocent and accused the former president of behaving like a "autocrat".

"Our household have known for a long time that there are costs to opposing Mr Trump," he said. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

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

The accusations against James Comey emerged after Trump shared on online platforms calling for his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, take legal action against James Comey and others.