The initial court hearing with Comey was held in a federal court in Alexandria in the state of Virginia. The indictment has been brought by the US Department of Justice, which is led by Minister Pam Bondi.
The first court hearing is largely a first formality, where it was expected that Comey would say that he is innocent of the crime. After the initial court hearing, Comey's lawyers can initiate a process where they challenge the indictment and want to have it declared invalid.
Defense lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald represented Comey. Critics of the indictment claim that the Department of Justice initiates legal proceedings against those who have criticized or otherwise provoked the current President Donald Trump's wrath.
James Comey was the head of the FBI from September 2013 to May 2017.
