A Mexican judge has ordered the imprisonment of the former head of Mexico’s state oil company while a corruption trial plays out.

The federal judge said former Pemex CEO Emilio Lozoya poses a flight risk and ordered him into preventive custody Wednesday.

Lozoya was extradited from Spain last year and faces charges including bribery and money laundering. He had avoided jail time until now because of apparent health problems and by cooperating authorities investigating corruption carried out by previous governments.

He has confessed to channeling bribes to other officials and lawmakers, but claims he was coerced into doing so.

Authorities had faced criticism that Lozoya was receiving preferential treatment, particularly after photos circulated last month showing him dining out at a high-end restaurant in a wealthy Mexico City neighborhood.

A lawyer for Loyoza has said an appeal will be filed challenging the preventative prison order.