Fadel Abdelkefi has publicly accused President Kais Saied of acting like a king and not improving governance or the economy.

The politician says police stopped him at Carthage international airport on Wednesday and prevented him from travelling despite no legal warrant or charges filed against him.

Last year President Saied shut down parliament and held a referendum granting him near-absolute powers.

The incident comes a day after police started investigating a journalist over an article critical of the prime minister.