Maduro and Flores plead not guilty to expanded torture-conspiracy charges as judge delays trial start and sets Dec. 17 hearing

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty Thursday in a New York federal court to an expanded indictment that includes conspiracy to commit torture. The judge delayed the trial’s start by two weeks, setting proceedings for June 14, and scheduled a Dec. 17 hearing on defense arguments to dismiss the case.

Speaking through an interpreter before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Maduro rejected the revised indictment, calling it a repackaging of previously presented false claims, CNN reported. Flores also asserted her innocence against allegations that the couple tortured Americans and other people held in Venezuelan custody. She recently had a petition for house arrest denied. The couple also faces existing narcotics and weapons offenses.

Demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse during the arraignment to protest Maduro and Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

The prosecution follows a U.S. military operation in January that captured Maduro and Flores in Venezuela and flew them to New York to face federal charges. After the operation, Washington recognized an interim administration led by Rodriguez.