The former conservative president of Brazil Michel Temer (2016-2018) was arrested on Thursday by order of a judge of the anti-corruption operation Lava Jato, reported the Federal Public Ministry (MPF).

"We confirm the arrest [of Temer], in Sao Paulo," he told AFP the press advisory of the MPF in Rio de Janeiro, where the arrest warrant was issued.

The advisory refrained from giving more details, alleging secrecy of summary until the end of the operation that according to the press also has as target the former Minister of Mines and Energy Moreira Franco.

Temer, cited in several investigations, was arrested by order of Judge Marcelo Bretas, in charge of Operation Lava Jato in Rio, the scandal that uncovered a network of bribes paid by large construction companies to politicians from almost all parties to obtain contracts in Petrobras .

Temer, 78, of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), was vice president of Dilma Rousseff, whom he replaced in May 2016 when the left-wing leader was separated from his position in the framework of an investigation for alleged manipulation of public accounts.