A JUDGE has sent former Portuguese prime minister Jose Socrates to prison while the ex-leader fights accusations of corruption, money-laundering and tax fraud.
The judge decided after an initial hearing there was sufficient police evidence to keep Mr Socrates in custody on preliminary charges of wrongdoing.
His lawyer Joao Araujo said his client denies the charges and would appeal against the custody decision.
The public prosecutor will now investigate further before presenting formal charges, a process that could take more than six months.
A magistrate will then decide whether to put Mr Socrates on trial. The crimes carry a maximum sentence of 21 years.
Mr Socrates was Portugal's centre-left Socialist prime minister from 2005 to 2011. He was detained by police after arriving at Lisbon airport late on Friday and has been in jail since. Three other suspects were also arrested.
Officials refused to provide details, because a judicial secrecy law forbids the disclosure of information from ongoing investigations
Mr Socrates, 57, is suspected of amassing a £16 million fortune by taking bribes to favour companies during his time in power.
One of the other suspects, his friend Carlos Santos Silva, owned a building firm which flourished during Mr Socrates's time in office.
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