(CNN) Alex Salmond, for years the leading face of the Scottish independence campaign, appeared in court Thursday charged with two counts of attempted rape and multiple sexual assaults.

Addressing reporters outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court after a brief hearing, Salmond, 64, insisted he was "innocent of any criminality whatsoever."

He said he had "great faith" in the judicial system in Scotland and would defend himself "to the utmost" in court.

Prosecutors listed 14 charges in total against Salmond in a statement released after the initial private court appearance.

They comprise two counts of attempted rape, nine counts of sexual assault, two counts of indecent assault and one count of breaching the peace.

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