Gabon opposition leader jailed for political reasons, his lawyers say

Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman and onetime prominent ally of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, pleaded not guilty on Friday to U.S.

money laundering charges.



Saab's lawyers entered the not guilty plea on his behalf at a hearing in Miami federal court, defense lawyer Joseph Schuster told Reuters.



Venezuela deported Saab in May to face the charges, after U.S. Special Forces captured Maduro in Caracas in January. Maduro has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges and is due to go on trial starting June 1, 2027.



Saab previously served as Venezuela's minister of industry. Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former vice president who is now running the country, said his deportation was "justified by national interests."