​Bernie Ecclestone, the former owner and manager of commercial rights to Formula 1, pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of massive tax evasion brought against him in Great Britain, AFP reports.

Bernie EcclestonePhoto: David Davies / PA Images / Profimedia

At the age of 91, Ecclestone appeared in a dark suit, accompanied by his lawyers and bodyguards, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he was summoned.

Axelstone was asked to identify himself during the hearing and later pleaded not guilty. He remains free until his next hearing, scheduled for September 19.

Ecclestone is accused of failing to declare to the British tax authorities more than 400 million pounds (473 million euros) of assets held abroad between 2013 and 2016.

Prosecutors authorized his indictment in July after a tax investigation described as “complex and international.”

Bernie Ecclestone has been Formula One’s supreme leader for almost 40 years, stepping down as the leader of motorsport’s elite in January 2017 after he was sacked by the new owner of the commercial rights to the competition, American group Liberty Media. writes Agerpres.