A military judge in Tunisia ordered on Tuesday the imprisonment of two members of the opposition Islamic Karama coalition against President Kais Saied, according to a lawyer and an official source. President Kais Saied had lifted parliamentary immunity, frozen parliament's activities, and dismissed the Prime Minister on July 25, describing these extraordinary measures as necessary to save the country from collapse and disintegration, while his opponents labeled it a coup.
A military court judge issued a prison warrant against Seifeddine Makhlouf and Nidal Saudi, leaders of the opposition Karama coalition opposing Saied’s choices. Lawyer Inas Harath stated that the judge ordered Saudi's imprisonment on the grounds of assaulting security personnel at Tunis-Carthage Airport months ago.
The military judiciary stated that Makhlouf threatened military judges while present in court. The statement added, "Makhlouf insulted one of the military judges and threatened him, announcing that according to information he received from foreign sources, all names of participants in the coup are being monitored, including names of those participating in military trials."
Rights groups have called for the release of parliament member Yassine Ayari and criticized the use of military courts to prosecute civilians. They also expressed concern over the travel bans imposed on dozens of individuals. With the imprisonment of Saudi and Makhlouf, the number of imprisoned legislators rises to five.
Saied defended his intervention and rejected accusations of a coup, pledging to uphold rights. He stated that no one would be prevented from traveling unless they were subject to an existing case. On Monday, President Kais Saied announced that he would continue the extraordinary measures in the country and would establish transitional provisions and a new election law.
