Former Ecuadorian President Lucio Gutierrez has appeared in court to deny charges that he threatened state security and ask for his release from jail.
Mr. Gutierrez appeared Wednesday in superior court in the capital, Quito. He pleaded not guilty and said he had been the victim of a coup orchestrated by his former Vice President, Alfredo Palacio, who is now president.
Ecuador's Congress removed Mr. Gutierrez from office in April, after weeks of mass protests. Critics had demanded his resignation for what they called an abuse of power after he packed the Supreme Court with his allies.
Mr. Gutierrez was arrested October 14 when he returned to Ecuador in an attempt to regain the presidency.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
