RIO de Janeiro Mayor Marcelo Crivella was arrested on corruption charges on Tuesday, just nine days before he was due to leave office.

He was branded “the head of a criminal organisation … installed within the Rio mayor’s office with the aim of obtaining illicit profits in the most varied ways,” by judge Rosa Helena Penna Macedo Guita, who is leading the investigation.

Mr Crivella, an ally of Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, was taken to a prison in the north of the country after being remanded in custody following a two-hour hearing.

Hours later, a judge agreed that he could be held under house arrest instead, provided that he wears an electronic ankle tag and has no contact with third parties.

Mr Crivella denied the charges and claimed to be the victim of political persecution.

“I’m the mayor that’s done the most against corruption in Rio de Janeiro. I ask that justice be served,” he said.

Several other people were also arrested as part of the investigation, including businessman Rafael Alves, the suspected mastermind.

The charges relate to alleged acceptance of bribes in return for public contracts and money laundering.