TUNIS, Tunisia — Mohsen al-Daly, spokesman for the Court of First Instance and the Judicial Counter-Terrorism Division in Tunisia, said in an Aug. 3 statement to Jawhara FM that the Judicial Counter-Terrorism Division opened two terrorism cases related to two members of the suspended parliament, without revealing their identity. He said, “The Financial Judicial Body is facing cases of money laundering, conflict of interest and fraud in which several members of parliament are implicated.” 

President Kais Saied had taken decisions July 25 to lift immunity from the members of parliament, take over the executive authority and suspend parliament for 30 days.

Faycal Tebini, a member of parliament representing the Farmers Voice Party, said in a Facebook post Aug. 2 that he was arrested on charges of “defamation on social media.” His arrest came in response to a complaint from member of parliament Sabrin Ghoubantini, who said in a Facebook post July 31 that she was subject to defamation by Tebini.

The Karama (Dignity) Coalition, an Islamist party supporting the Ennahda movement, member of parliament Maher Zid and Mohammed Affes were also arrested July 31 on suspicion of insulting members of the border police who banned a woman from traveling. Independent parliamentarian Yassin Ayari, known for criticizing the army and presidency, was also arrested July 30.