Lawyers for James Comey, the former head of the FBI and a longtime target of President Donald Trump's ire, have accused US prosecutors of omitting key details and falsifying evidence in the case against their client. Comey's defense team filed a series of misconduct allegations on Tuesday, arguing the case is motivated by political retribution and riddled with 'irregularities.'

The lawyers are seeking dismissal of the case. 'Ample objective evidence — much of which comes directly from government officials' own public statements and admissions — establishes that the President's animus toward Mr Comey led to this vindictive and selective prosecution,' they wrote. Comey was charged in April for an Instagram post showing seashells arranged to spell out '86 47.'

The Department of Justice alleges the numbers are a coded message alluding to killing Trump, the 47th president. Comey has denied any violent meaning. Rights advocates question whether the charges will hold up in court, as the photo is likely protected speech under the First Amendment.

Comey faces one count of threatening the president and one count of transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, carrying up to 10 years in prison. The case is the latest example of the Trump regime's aggressive prosecution of rivals. Previously, federal prosecutors indicted figures like New York Attorney General Letitia James and former National Security Advisor John Bolton.

Comey's lawyers allege federal prosecutors withheld details about failed efforts to prove a connection between '86' and criminal activity. They claim search warrant affidavits contained intentionally false statements and material omissions. Trump has frequently called for Comey's prosecution, calling him a 'corrupt piece of garbage.'

Source: www.aljazeera.com