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Reuters
Reuters
Politics

U.S. court denies motion to dismiss Saab case on diplomatic status

FILE PHOTO: A demonstrator of the "Free Alex Saab" movement participates in a rally in front of the National Assembly of Venezuela demanding the release of Saab, a Colombian businessman with Venezuelan ties who was extradited to the U.S. on a charge of money laundering, in Caracas, Venezuela December 16, 2022. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

A U.S. judge has denied a motion by Alex Saab, an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, to dismiss his indictment on the basis of his claim of diplomatic immunity, according to a court filing on Friday.

Saab is in a Miami jail awaiting trial on a charge of money laundering. His lawyers had argued Saab was on a diplomatic mission to Iran to buy fuel and humanitarian supplies when he was arrested in Cape Verde.

FILE PHOTO: Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, speaks to demonstrators of the "Free Alex Saab" movement during a rally in front of the National Assembly of Venezuela demanding the release of Saab, a Colombian businessman with Venezuelan ties who was extradited to the U.S. on a charge of money laundering, in Caracas, Venezuela December 16, 2022. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

(Reporting by Sarah Morland; Editing by Anthony Esposito)

FILE PHOTO: Camilla Fabri, wife of Alex Saab speaks to demonstrators of the "Free Alex Saab" movement during a rally in front of the National Assembly of Venezuela demanding the release of Saab, a Colombian businessman with Venezuelan ties who was extradited to the U.S. on a charge of money laundering, in Caracas, Venezuela December 16, 2022. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators of the "Free Alex Saab" movement participate in a rally in front of the National Assembly of Venezuela demanding the release of Saab, a Colombian businessman with Venezuelan ties who was extradited to the U.S. on a charge of money laundering, in Caracas, Venezuela December 16, 2022. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
FILE PHOTO: A demonstrator of the "Free Alex Saab" movement holds a book with letters written by Alex Saab from prison, during a rally in front of the National Assembly of Venezuela demanding the release of Saab, a Colombian businessman with Venezuelan ties who was extradited to the U.S. on a charge of money laundering, in Caracas, Venezuela December 16, 2022. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
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