RIO DE JANEIRO, July 30 (Xinhua) -- The former head of Rio de Janeiro state's Transplant Center was arrested Wednesday for allegedly tampering the liver-transplant waiting list.

    Joaquim Ribeiro Filho charged up to 200,000 reais (125,000 U.S. dollars) to perform liver transplant operations on patients who were much behind on the waiting list from 2003 to 2007, said the Federal Police.

    Brazil currently has 1,132 people on liver transplant waiting list.

    Doctor Ribeiro used to be the head of the liver transplant department of the Clementino Fraga Filho Federal Hospital. Four other doctors in the department were also involved in the case.

    Investigations into their case began in 2003, when the Attorney General's office found out that a patient who was in the 32nd place on the waiting list received a liver before patients who were much ahead on the list.

    The patient was the brother of the then state transport secretary. Others who have close ties with high officials allegedly had also got preferential treatment.

    All five doctors were charged with embezzlement. If convicted, they could face two to 12 years imprisonment.