FILE PHOTO: Brazil's President Michel Temer speaks at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, May 18, 2017. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File Photo

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian President Michel Temer must respond within 24 hours to federal police questions about his alleged involvement in a sprawling political graft probe, a Supreme Court judge ruled on Tuesday, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told Reuters.

Executives from the world’s biggest meatpacker JBS SA said in plea-bargain testimony to police that Temer condoned bribing a potential witness in the “Car Wash” corruption case and they paid the president nearly $5 million in bribes in recent years. Temer strongly denies the accusations. The Supreme Court did not immediately respond to requests for comment.