"Comey did not enter a plea or speak during his brief appearance at a Virginia court on Wednesday afternoon.

His attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, said the former director would seek dismissal on grounds of selective and vindictive prosecution - arguing he was targeted for speaking out against Trump.

Judge Fitzpatrick denied the justice department's efforts to set conditions of release for Comey, saying they were not necessary, according to CBS.

Jimmy Gurul, a former federal prosecutor and former assistant US Attorney General appointed by President George W Bush, said the new indictment was "an embarrassment to the American criminal justice system"."