by James Tweedie Ousted Cote D’Ivoire president Laurent Gbagbo was the the victim of a French-backed coup, his defence told the International Criminal Court (ICC) yesterday. Lawyer Emmanuel Altit told the court at The Hague in the Netherlands that Mr Gbagbo was working to restore democracy in his country when he was overthrown by supporters of current President Alassane Ouattara backed by French commandoes  and mercenaries. On Thursday Mr Gbagbo and his co-defendant Charles Ble Goude pleaded not guilty to four charges — including murder and rape allegedly committed by his supporters during violence that left 3,000 people dead after the disputed 2010 presidential election. Prosecutors last week accused Gbagbo of unleashing violence to cling to office after losing a run-off to Mr Ouattara. Mr Altit said that version of events was a "political narrative ... intended to justify the use of force against President Gbagbo." Mr Gbagbo was overthrown by force