Alain Lobognon had tweeted on 9 January that the chief prosecutor was planning to order the arrest of another lawmaker.But the prosecutor denied this and said the tweet had caused demonstrations.

Mr Lobognon’s lawyer said his client would appeal the decision.

He added that Mr Lobognon was being targeted because he was close to Guillaume Soro, a former rebel leader and prime minster, who is now the speaker of the National Assembly.

Mr Soro and President Alassane Ouattara have recently fallen out ahead of elections next year.