A South Korean court ordered the formal arrest of President Yoon, who was accused of martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yoo He was formally detained on Sunday, days after being detained at the presidential compound in Seoul as he faces possible arrest following his declaration of martial law last month.

Yoon’s arrest could mark the beginning of a long stint in prison for him, months or more.

Seoul’s Western District Court accepted law enforcement’s arrest warrant after hours of deliberations, citing threats to destroy evidence. Yun and his lawyers appeared before a court judge on Saturday to argue for release.

Yun, who has been in custody since being arrested in a major law enforcement operation at his compound on Wednesday, faces sedition charges related to the Dec. 3 declaration of the country’s martial law. A serious political crisis since democratization in the late 1980s.

The Office of the High Officials Corruption Investigation, which is leading the investigation together with the police and the military, may now extend the detention period to 20 days and will forward the case to the prosecutor for prosecution.

Yoon’s lawyers can file a motion to challenge the court’s arrest warrant.

Yoon’s appearance at Seoul’s Western District Court sparked violent scenes in nearby streets, where thousands of his zealous supporters gathered for hours to demand his release. They clashed with the police, arresting about 40 protesters, including 20 who climbed the fence to appear in court. At least two cars containing anti-corruption investigators were damaged as they left the court after arguing to arrest Yu.

Yoon’s lawyers spoke to the judge for about 40 minutes during the five-hour closed-door hearing. His legal team and anti-corruption agencies have made opposing arguments on whether he should remain in prison. His lawyers did not share his specific opinion.

The judge is expected to make a decision late Saturday or early Sunday. Yoon’s motorcade was seen leaving the courthouse Saturday evening for the detention center, where Yoon awaits his decision.

Yoon was transported to the court from a prison in nearby Yuanyang Seoul, Escorted by the police and the President’s security service in a blue Ministry of Justice car.

Thousands of Yun supporters gathered in nearby streets despite heavy police presence, and the motorbikes pulled into the courthouse’s basement parking lot. Some protesters broke the police line and tapped the windows of the vehicles as they approached the court. Yun did not speak to reporters.

After the investigators were attacked by protesters, the anti-corruption agency asked media companies to hide the faces of its members attending the trial.

It was unclear as of Saturday morning whether Yun would choose to attend the hearing.

Yoon Kab-Ken, one of the president’s lawyers, said defense lawyers met with Yoon at the detention center and he accepted the legal team’s recommendation to appear before a private judge. According to the lawyer, he argues that the president’s decision was a proper use of his authority, and the case of violence will not be brought before the criminal court or the constitutional court, which is investigating whether he should be removed from office or reinstated.

Nine people, including Yon’s defense minister, police chief and several senior military commanders, were arrested and charged for their role in the implementation of martial law.

When did the crisis begin? Yun imposed military rule in an attempt to overcome legislative gridlock He sent troops to the National Assembly and election offices. The dispute continued hours after lawmakers who managed to pass the ban voted to lift the measure. The opposition-dominated assembly voted to resign on December 14.

If Yun is formally arrested, an extended period of incarceration for him, lasting months or more, could begin.

If prosecutors accuse Yoon of rebellion and abuse of power, those charges are now being investigated by investigators, and they could put him in jail for up to six months before a trial.

Under South Korean law, organizing riots is punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Yoon’s lawyers have argued that there is no need to detain him during the investigation, arguing that he does not pose a risk of escaping or destroying evidence.