Tunisian court jails lawmaker over corruption charges

Mehdi Ben Gharbia is the latest opposition member to come under scrutiny amid growing concerns over civil rights.

A Tunisian lawmaker has been taken into custody after a court ordered his arrest on Sunday over tax fraud and money laundering charges.

Mehdi Ben Gharbia, a businessman, former minister and member of the secular opposition party Tahya Tounes, is the latest parliamentarian to be apprehended since President Kais Saied lifted parliamentary immunity and seized control of legislative and executive powers.

Shortly after Saied dismissed the prime minister and suspended parliament on July 25, Anouar Maarouf, a senior official from the Islamic party Ennahdha, was placed under house arrest over alleged abuse of authority.