Lawyers say those accused include the main opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi, the former prime minister Youssef Chahed and the president’s ex-chief of staff Nadia Akacha.

All are charged with conspiring against state security.

Mr Ghannouchi - who was also the former Speaker of parliament - was sentenced to a year in jail earlier this month for incitement.

Mr Saied has been accused of staging a coup - after shutting down parliament, passing a new constitution and moving to rule by decree.