Maduro's wife's lawyer said she was beaten

The wife of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Celia Flores, was seriously injured last weekend when she and her husband were captured during a US military operation. This was stated in a New York court by the woman's lawyer Mark Donnelly, CNN reports.

Flores appeared at the meeting with a bandage on her forehead, and a bruise was visible under her right eye, writes The New York Times. The newspaper reports that the first lady of Venezuela had to rely on the bailiff.

According to Donnelly, his client received "significant injuries during the abduction." He suggested that Flores may have a fracture or severe bruising of the ribs, and she will need a medical examination.

Maduro himself, according to CNN, also looked as if he had been injured: it was hard for him to get up and sit down.

On January 5, the New York court held its first hearing on the case of Maduro, whom the United States accuses of conspiring to "drug terrorism" and supply cocaine to the United States, as well as possession of weapons. The couple pleaded not guilty, Maduro said he had not seen the indictment and considers himself a prisoner of war. Maduro and Flores did not apply for bail.

The next meeting will be held on March 17.