Maduro and wife plead not guilty to new charges

Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have pleaded not guilty to new charges of conspiring to torture political opponents and American citizens.

The couple appeared before a federal judge in New York, where prosecutors significantly expanded an existing drug trafficking case against them.

Maduro and Cilia Flores were captured by US forces in Caracas in January and brought to the United States to face prosecution.

Prosecutors accuse Maduro of overseeing a system of repression involving beatings, electric shocks and psychological abuse.

Both deny wrongdoing and are seeking to have the case dismissed, arguing that Maduro enjoyed presidential immunity.

The couple were captured by US forces in Caracas in January.

Their trial in New York is scheduled to begin in June first next year, with both facing lengthy prison sentences if convicted.