The Supreme Court of Peru orders that ex-President Pedro Castillo be remanded for 18 months because he poses a flight risk.
Castillo was arrested last week, following a move to dissolve the country’s legislature and an announcement that he would rule by decree.
Castillo now stands accused of rebellion and conspiracy and could be jailed for up to 10 years if found guilty, according to public prosecutor Alcides Diaz.
Protesters have demanded the embattled leader’s release from prison, as well as new elections and the removal of his successor, former Vice President Dina Boluarte.
Boluarte’s administration declared a nationwide state of emergency on Wednesday, suspending freedom of movement and assembly in a bid to quell the unrest, which has left at least eight people dead so far.
They have burned police stations, taken over an airstrip used by the armed forces and invaded the runway of the international airport in Arequipa, a gateway to some of Peru’s tourist attractions.
Four airports have been shut down due to the protests, while hundreds of tourists have been stranded at Peru’s popular Machu Picchu tourist attraction after train services to the site were suspended.
