Dr. Carlos Prio Socarras, former President of Cuba, and four other persons pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of conspiring to finance military expeditions against the Cuban Government headed by President Fulgencio Batista.

Dr. Prio, who is now living in Florida, told newsmen that he was "completely innocent" of the charges.  The trial, he said, would "ultimately prove that the indictment was a result of Batista's action in an attempt to discredit me and cover up his own un-democratic behavior."

Judge John F. X. McGohey of the Federal Court scheduled Dec. 1 for setting a trial date.  The defendants were freed on $3,000 bail.