DENVER — An Ethiopian immigrant suspected of torturing political prisoners decades ago during the aftermath of a coup in his home country has pleaded not guilty to U.S. immigration charges.
The man authorities identified as former prison guard Kefelegn Alemu Worku (kah-FEH’-lun ah-LEE’-moo WER’-koo) entered his plea in federal court in Denver on Tuesday. A judge denied bail.
The man’s lawyer said his client denies the immigration charges and says he is not the former guard Worku.
The man is accused of using falsified documents to enter the U.S. Authorities also say he lived and worked in Denver under an assumed name.
Three former Ethiopian political prisoners identified the man as Worku in a photo lineup, saying he tortured inmates in the 1970s at a prison where detainees were regularly beaten and executed.
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