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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the former director has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and impeding a congressional proceeding.

The former director's attorney filed the answer on his behalf in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

The defense lawyer announced he would attempt to have the case dismissed for various causes including that his the accused, a critic of former President Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was formally accused shortly after Donald Trump pushed his attorney general to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald told the magistrate they intended to file several motions to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the prosecution was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully designated to take over the legal matter.

James Comey's legal matter was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under scrutiny from Trump after his investigation into a different rival - the New York official - did not succeed to file indictments.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, conversing with his legal team and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his spouse, his wife and offspring Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the Trump administration terminated.

After listening to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he comprehended the accusations.

"I do your honour. Thank you," he stated to the court.

Previous Events

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was fired about four months into the former president's first term as national leader. At the time, the director was directing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey triggered a counter-response from Democrats when he declared just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, resulting in criticism from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

The federal government allege Mr Comey lied to the legislature during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he misled the upper house by stating he had not approved a person at the FBI to leak to journalistic entities details about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also accuse James Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, hinder and delay" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

In a video the former director shared to his online platform after he was accused, he said he was innocent and charged Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"We have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to opposing Donald Trump," he said. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."

"I'm innocent," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The accusations against James Comey emerged after Trump published on online platforms calling for his attorney general, Ms Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and other people.