Quito, Ecuador ? Former President Lucio Gutierrez, who was arrested last month upon his return from exile in an attempt to reclaim power, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of threatening national security and asked to be freed.

Gutierrez was detained Oct. 14 after renouncing political asylum in Colombia and flying home, insisting he was returning to reclaim the presidency of Ecuador that was rightly his and accusing his successor, President Alfredo Palacio, of fabricating charges against him.

Congress voted Gutierrez, 48, out of office April 20 after he disbanded the Supreme Court and declared a state of emergency, sparking massive street protests in the capital. He fled the country four days later.

Near tears Wednesday, Gutierrez said Congress’ decision to throw him out of office was a coup orchestrated by Palacio, then the vice president.

The three-judge panel made no immediate ruling.

Gutierrez had returned from exile despite an order for his arrest by the Superior Court on charges he was a threat to national security after he accused Palacio of illegally assuming power and insisted that he remained Ecuador’s rightful president.

He was the third Ecuadorean president since 1997 forced from office before serving out a full term.