Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab appeals against US court decision that keeps him in captivity.
The Venezuelan government said Saab was kidnapped by the US government and vowed to seek help from international organizations.
WASHINGTON, December 28 (Sputnik) - The Venezuelan diplomat alex saab appealed against a recent decision by a United States court not to dismiss his case based on his diplomatic immunity, according to a court document released on Wednesday (28).
"It is hereby notified that... the defendant in the above-mentioned case appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit regarding the Final Order on the Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the Charge (ECF No. 197), filed in this action on December 23, 2022," the document stated.
Last week, a U.S. judge rejected Saab's motion to dismiss the charges against him based on his diplomatic immunity status. The U.S. government argues that Saab was not traveling as a special envoy of the Venezuelan government at the time of his arrest, according to court documents.
Saab was extradited from Cape Verde to the United States in October 2021, but pleaded not guilty to charges of involvement in financial crimes related to violations of US sanctions imposed against Iran. The US government dropped the most serious money laundering charges against Saab.
In June 2020, authorities in Cape Verde arrested Saab based on a US extradition warrant while he was traveling to Iran on a humanitarian mission for the Venezuelan government.
The Venezuelan government said Saab was kidnapped by the US government and vowed to seek help from international organizations to free the diplomat.
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