Castillo already faces five criminal investigations into whether he has used the presidency to benefit himself and has survived two impeachment attempts in just over a year in office.

Castillo denies any wrongdoing and vowed late on Tuesday to finish his term in 2026.

“We have found very serious indications of a criminal organisation that has taken roots in the government,” said attorney-general Patricia Benavides.

Castillo called the constitutional complaint – as well as raids and detentions that targeted allies earlier in the day – a “coup d’etat” orchestrated by the attorney-general’s office.

Some lawmakers have said they want to launch a third impeachment bid though they acknowledge they do not have the votes.

Some, however, think the constitutional complaint could lead to Castillo’s suspension with fewer votes in the opposition-controlled Congress than a formal impeachment vote.

But Prime Minister Aníbal Torres said the constitutional complaint was unconstitutional in its own right, setting the stage for a legal battle over the limits of the mechanism.

Peru has a high turnover of presidents with five since 2016. One of them was ousted through impeachment, another resigned before an impeachment vote and a third one resigned after street protests.