NEW YORK: Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, with chains around his ankles, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to US drug and weapons charges in Manhattan federal court while his lawyer complained of"prisoner of war" conditions in jail.
Hernandez, extradited from the Central American country last month, entered the plea of not guilty to three criminal counts - including conspiracy to import cocaine and weapons possession - at an arraignment before US District Judge Kevin Castel. Hernandez has in the past denied the allegations, portraying himself as a fierce opponent of drug cartels and accusing traffickers of smearing him to get revenge and lighten their sentences.
"He's being treated like a prisoner of war," Colon said."We're not asking for him to get special treatment because he's a former head of state, but these conditions are psychologically debilitating."