Maduro and Flores scheduled for New York arraignment on October 15

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are scheduled to be arraigned on new charges on October 15 at 11 a.m. in New York, or 6 p.m. Moscow time, RIA Novosti reported, citing a court document.

US prosecutors unsealed a superseding indictment on October 8. They allege that Maduro and Flores participated in a system of torture involving victims including US citizens. The new counts add to earlier drug-related charges.

Associated Press reported that Maduro denies the new allegations. He and Flores previously pleaded not guilty in the drug trafficking case.

US forces seized the couple in Caracas on January 3 and brought them to the United States. Delcy Rodríguez, previously vice president, subsequently assumed Venezuela's presidential duties.

The forthcoming hearing concerns formal arraignment on the additional charges in case S5 11 Cr. 205.