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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to US legislators and hindering a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's legal representative entered the plea acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the case thrown out for multiple factors including that his defendant, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was indicted soon after Trump pushed his top legal official to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the court they intended to file several motions to terminate the legal matter before a court case, stating the legal action was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully designated to handle the case.

James Comey's legal matter was originally handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under influence from Donald Trump after his investigation into a different opponent - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

The former director came across in good spirits as he walked into the court on mid-week, speaking with his legal team and sharing humor. He was supported by his wife, his wife and daughter Maureen, a government attorney who the previous administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the judge state his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, James Comey was asked if he understood the charges.

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

Historical Information

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was dismissed about several months into Donald Trump's first term as president. At the period, he was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Russia and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he declared just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was examining political contender the candidate's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys allege the former director gave untrue statements to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he misled the legislative body by stating he had not permitted an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to news outlets information about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also allege James Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, obstruct and slow" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

In a video Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was indicted, he stated he was innocent and alleged the former president of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"My family and I have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to standing up to the former president," he said. "We will not live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he added. "Thus initiate a court case."

The charges against James Comey emerged after Trump posted on online platforms calling for his top legal official, Ms Bondi, prosecute the former director and others.