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A federal judge on Tuesday ordered US marshals to move Paul Manafort from his Virginia rural prison to a detention center in Alexandria, Virginia, in the Washington metropolitan area, where the former president of Trump faces two lawsuits. later this month and the second in September.
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But within a few hours of the judge, Manafort's lawyers asked that their client stay at Northern Neck, citing among other things "his safety", even though they complained about his detention, he had interfered with his defense.
"In view of Mr Manafort's prolonged detention and further reflection, the problems of distance and inconvenience must give way to his safety and, more importantly, to the challenges he will face. to adapt to a new place of detention.Circumstances of detention two weeks before the trial, "wrote the Manafort team to the judge in the case.
Judge TS Ellis, who presides over the Manafort trial in Virginia for two weeks, has ordered that Manafort be moved closer to the city "to ensure that the defendant has access to his lawyer and can adequately prepare his case." defense".
Manafort was detained at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia, as another federal judge presiding over his case in Washington, DC, revoked his bail last month. Prosecutors with the special advocate have asked the judge to imprison Manafort after learning that he had tried to contact potential government witnesses in the days after Mueller brought an indictment. supplicant charge against him.
. Scott Applewhite / AP, FILE Oddly enough, a few hours after the order given by Judge Ellis to move Manafort, Manafort's lawyers asked that their client stay at Northern Neck, citing "security" among other things.
"In view of Mr Manafort's prolonged detention and further reflection, the problems of distance and inconvenience must give way to his safety and, more importantly, to the challenges he will face. to adapt to a new place of detention.Circumstances of detention two weeks before the trial, "wrote the team Manafort.
Mueller's special team hit Manafort with three additional charges in two federal courts – Washington, DC and Virginia – raising more than 40 charges of money laundering, tax evasion and banking, conspiracy and other financial crimes. before his time on the Trump campaign. Manafort pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The previous bail deal of Manafort had allowed him to stay at his Alexandria apartment, Virginia, with a GPS ankle monitor.
During her stay at Northern Neck Prison, ABC News reported that Manafort was left alone in a cell in the VIP section of the institution, surrounded by walls painted in two shades of brown: bagel and biscuit.
Manafort was receiving three meals a day in his VIP section cell of approximately 14 x 14 feet, equipped with a toilet, a shower, a place to sit, d & # 39; A small table, a TV with basic cable and a phone. calls.
Judge Ellis ordered the US Marshals to move Manafort "quickly", although no clear timetable for the move was immediately known.
The Manafort trial in Washington, DC will begin in September.
ABC News's Jack News date contributed to the report
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