Lawmakers arrested

Two Tunisian MPs have been placed in provisional detention following the controversial suspension of Parliament. Radio France Internationale reports that they have been identified as Maher Zid and Mohamed Affes of the Islamis Al-Karama party. President Kais Saied has rejected accusations he staged a ‘coup’ and said he acted within the Constitution, which allows the head of state to take unspecified exceptional measures in the event of an ‘imminent threat’. He has also declared a crackdown on corruption, accusing 460 businessmen of embezzlement. Political commentator Slaheddine Jourchi said the arrests were ‘a strategic mistake’ and ‘not consistent with the President's statements’.