Dessalegn Chanie, a member of the House of People’s Representatives representing the opposition party National Movement of the Amhara (Nama), has been arrested by government security forces in Addis Ababa on the evening of Wednesday, a family member said.

Four armed security personnel, two of whom were wearing federal police uniforms, arrested the opposition legislator on Wednesday, a family member who requested anonymity said.

The security personnel returned with Desalegn to his residence on Thursday morning, conducted a search of his home, and confiscated electronic materials and documents. They then departed with Desalegn himself, according to the relative.

Dessalegn Chanie’s relative stated that he is detained at the Federal Police Crime Investigation Center located in the Mexico Square area, with no official reason provided for his detention yet.

Dessalegn Chanie’s lawyer, Solomon Gezahagne, stated that he has not yet met his client but mentioned that he would be able to meet with him on Friday. Dessalegn, one of the founders of the Nama and its first chairman, is the second opposition legislator to be arrested since the state of emergency was declared in the Amhara region last year. Another member of the Nama’s leadership, Christian Tadele, was arrested in August, on the day the state of emergency was declared by the Council of Ministers.

Dessalegn is known for his outspoken speeches and criticism against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government at meetings of the People’s Representatives Council. However, he has not attended any meetings in the past few months. At a council meeting in July last year, the lawmaker urged the prime minister to transfer power to an interim civil administration. At the meeting, he also called on members of the House of Representatives to dissolve parliament and “pave the way for new democratically organized elections.”

By arresting Dessalegn, the government is violating the MP’s parliamentary absolute immunity. If he is to be arrested, the council will have to lift his immunity. According to the constitution, no MP shall be arrested or charged with a crime without the consent of the Speaker, unless caught in flagrante delicto.