A defence lawyer says former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo was working to restore democracy in his country when he was forcibly ousted from power by French forces, mercenaries and other supporters of current President Alassane Ouattara.

Former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo pleaded not guilty Thursday to four counts of crimes against humanity at the start of the International Criminal Court's first trial of an ex-head of state.

Ivory Coast's military court has sentenced the former head of security for the country's ex-first lady to 20 years in prison for acts related to the post-election crisis in 2011.