A rape suspect at the center of a conflict between San Francisco and the Trump administration over the city's sanctuary policies pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
Mohamed Ben Azaza was extradited from Canada after the Department of Homeland Security backed off demands that the city first change its sanctuary policies that restrict local law enforcement from communicating with immigration officials.
Azaza, a Tunisian national, is accused of four felonies in the alleged rape of an unconscious woman while he was driving for Uber.
In court, the prosecutor said there is DNA evidence in the case linking Azaza to the rape.
“What’s important to note is this is a sexual assault case and our office takes sexual assault very seriously," said Alex Bastian, a spokesman with the San Francisco District Attorney's Office. "And when we have the evidence to do so we are going charge someone and do everything we can to bring that person to justice.”