A federal judge on Thursday instructed Justice Department lawyers to avoid making public remarks that could prejudice the jury in the criminal case against Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national indicted last month on human smuggling charges.

Defense lawyers contended the government is denying their client his right to a fair trial by repeatedly trashing him in the media.

Abrego Garcia's lawyers filed court documents on Wednesday, alleging he suffered severe beatings and psychological torture while in an El Salvador prison.