Dominique Strauss-Kahn pleads not guilty on sex assault charges (UPDATES) (VIDEO)

Former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn appeared in a New York court Monday to enter a plea of not guilty three weeks after being arrested on charges of sexually assaulting and trying to rape a Manhattan hotel maid.

Strauss-Kahn has been charged with two counts of committing a criminal sexual act, attempted rape, sexual abuse, forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment.

Monday was his first court appearance since he was released on $6 million cash bail and bond last month after almost a week at Rikers Island jail, reports the Associated Press. He has since been staying under house arrest and armed guard in a Manhattan apartment and then a deluxe town house.

Prosecutors have said their evidence has been growing, while the economist's defense attorneys insist they have information to discredit the maid, AP reports.

A source close to the case told CNN that defense lawyers are planning on formally requesting discovery materials from prosecutors Monday.

The defense has complained that some information has been leaked to the public and thereby compromises Strauss-Kahn's right to a fair trial.

"Our client's right to a fair trial is being compromised by the public disclosure of prejudicial material even before these materials have been disclosed to counsel," his attorneys said in a letter to the judge, CNN reports.

They said they could also "release substantial information that in our view would seriously undermine the quality of this prosecution and also gravely undermine the credibility of the complainant in this case."

Strauss-Kahn was considered a front-runner for France's upcoming presidential election until the hotel episode. His case has attracted global attention and forced him to resign from the IMF.

The high profile defendant and relatively new Manhattan district attorney makes this case anything but ordinary, the New York Times reports.

"These variables have set this case on an international stage with unprecedented attention from the news media, something that will undoubtedly affect the strategic trajectories of all involved — including the plea bargain posture of both sides, the legal issues raised in court and the chances of the accuser’s filing a lawsuit," it states.