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Tunisian Judge Imprisons Two Detained Politicians, a Businessman

Tunisia's President Kais Saied gives a statement on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination, during a European Union - African Union summit, in Brussels, Belgium February 18, 2022. (Reuters)
Tunisia's President Kais Saied gives a statement on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination, during a European Union - African Union summit, in Brussels, Belgium February 18, 2022. (Reuters)
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Tunisian Judge Imprisons Two Detained Politicians, a Businessman

Tunisia's President Kais Saied gives a statement on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination, during a European Union - African Union summit, in Brussels, Belgium February 18, 2022. (Reuters)
Tunisia's President Kais Saied gives a statement on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination, during a European Union - African Union summit, in Brussels, Belgium February 18, 2022. (Reuters)

A Tunisian anti-terrorism investigative judge decided on Saturday to imprison two prominent politicians and a high-profile businessman who had been detained in a recent security crackdown, their defense team said.

The defense team for Abd El Hamid Jlassi and Kyham Turki, both critics of President Kais Saied, and businessman Kamel Ltaif said it had boycotted a plea hearing because the conditions for a fair trial had not been met.

In recent weeks, Tunisian police have arrested more than 12 people including opposition politicians, activists, protest organizers and a media figure, as well as an influential business leader and two judges.

Police on Friday arrested Ghazi Chaouachi, the prominent critic of Saied, Ghazi's son said.

About 20 policemen searched the house and arrested Ghazi, his son Elyess said.

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Arab World

Many Killed in Explosion, Fire at Gas Station in Central Yemen

A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS
A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS
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Many Killed in Explosion, Fire at Gas Station in Central Yemen

A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS
A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS

An explosion at a gas station triggered a massive fire in central Yemen, killing at least 15 people, health officials said Sunday.

The explosion occurred Saturday at the Zaher district in the province of Bayda. At least 67 others were injured, including 40 in critical condition.

The ministry said rescue teams were searching for those reported missing.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the explosion, according to Reuters.

Footage circulated online showing a massive fire that sent columns of smoke into the sky and left vehicles charred and burning.

Bayda is controlled by Iranian-backed Houthis, who have been at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for more than a decade.

Elsewhere in Bayda, the Houthis attacked and looted Hanaka al-Masoud village in the al-Qurayshiya district last week, according to the internationally recognized government. It said there were fatalities but gave no figures.

Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said the attack came after a weeklong siege of the village.

“This horrific attack targeted citizens’ homes and mosques, and resulted in many casualties, including women and children, and the destruction of property," he said.

The US Embassy in Yemen condemned the attack, saying in a statement that the "deaths, injuries, and wrongful detentions of innocent Yemenis perpetrated by Houthi terrorists are depriving the Yemeni people of peace and a brighter future."