Former US President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty today to charges brought against him in Georgia for attempting to overturn the election result in that state and at the same time asked to separate his trial from some of his 18 co-defendants.

Fulton County authorities in August charged Trump with 13 felonies, including extortion, for allegedly pressuring state officials to overturn his loss in that election.

He also allegedly attempted to set up a fake electoral college to undermine congressional ratification of Joe Biden’s victory.

In documents filed in Fulton County Court, Trump says he is waiving his right to attend the hearing and is pleading not guilty. This means he will not appear in court in person, as he is entitled to, next week.

The former president’s lawyers also asked the judge to sever his trial from some of his co-defendants who have argued in favor of a speedy trial.

One of them, Kenneth Chisebro, a lawyer for his campaign staff, is due to go on trial in early October, and Trump’s lawyers say there is not enough time to prepare until then.

Fulton County prosecutors want the trial to begin in October.