New Delhi, Sept. 3 -- Nicolas Maduro, the long-time President of Venezuela, who was ousted from power and captured by the US in January this year, has claimed that he still enjoys sovereign immunity as the head of a state. 63-year-old Maduro, who is currently in US captivity, is facing several charges, including drug trafficking. On Wednesday, he urged ​a federal judge to dismiss criminal charges against him, arguing he should be immune from prosecution.

"This court lacks jurisdiction with respect to Mr. Maduro, who is recognized by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as its head of state," Maduro's legal team argued in a court filing, according to Bloomberg.

Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, made the assertion of immunity in a mot...