Tunisian MP critical of president's power grab arrested: party

Tunisiansecurityforceson Friday arrested a member of parliament who condemnedPresidentKaisSaied's power grab as a "militarycoup", his party said.

Thepresident's shock move, including a 30-day suspension of parliament, has plunged Tunisia into political turmoil.

"It is amilitarycoup," independentMPYassine Ayari said on Facebook after thepresidentlast Sunday suspended parliament and sacked the premier.

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Ayari, 30, is a vocal critic of authorities who has had many run-ins with the law in past years.

He was sentenced to six months in prison in 2015 for defaming the army and was handed a three-month jail sentence in 2018 for criticising themilitary.

His party, Hope and Labour, said he was arrested by members of thepresident'ssecurityteam who did not provide anyarrestwarrant.

Ayari's wife said on Facebook that his detention was "violent".

There was no immediate confirmation from thepresident's office or prosecutors on thearrest.

His opponents accuse him of having staged a "coup", butSaiedhas said his actions are justified under the constitution which allows the head of state to take unspecified exceptional measures in the event of an "imminent threat".

In a Facebook post, Ayari said thepresident's actions represented "a reversal of the constitution... with the use of the army".

Saiedhas also declared a crackdown on corruption, accusing 460 businessmen of embezzlement.

On top of the political turmoil, the North African nation is beset by a crippling economic crisis including soaring inflation and high unemployment, as well as surging COVID-19 infections.