KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait plunged into political turmoil yesterday after the public prosecution ordered the detention of three former opposition MPs for three days with more arrests expected.

The three — Falah Al-Sawwagh, Bader Al-Dahum and Khaled Al-Tahus — were questioned for nine hours on accusations of undermining the status of Kuwait’s ruler before being taken into custody around midnight, defense lawyer Mohammad Al-Jumaih said.

The prosecutor also extended the detention for three more days of four opposition activists arrested yesterday during clashes between police and protesters following a huge rally.

The move came as hundreds of supporters of the opposition and former lawmakers gathered outside the Palace of Justice in the capital, Kuwait City, in solidarity with the ex-MPs and activists.

Local media and activists said more arrest orders would be issued soon against several former lawmakers including outspoken opposition leader Mussallam Al-Barrak on the same accusations.

The opposition leaders are being summoned for speaking at three rallies held this month to protest an alleged government plan to amend the electoral law to manipulate election results.

“The detention of the former MPs is an unwise decision ... It will only fuel tensions in the country and instigate more protests,” former lawmaker Mohammad Hayef warned on his Twitter account.

Waleed Al-Tabtabai, another former MP, criticized the government’s policy of clamping down on the opposition and arresting its leaders, insisting that what they said at rallies was “allowed criticism aimed at reforms.”