South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) has arrested a member of parliament in Juba under unclear circumstances, his family said.

The arrest has raised concerns over the protection of parliamentary immunity under the constitution.

Kom Kom Geng, chairperson of the parliamentary committee on National Security and Public Order in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), and representative for Abiem East constituency in Aweil East County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, was detained during an early morning operation at his residence on Monday.

Geng Kom Geng, the lawmaker’s younger brother, said that security personnel took the MP away at around 5:00 a.m.

“When I arrived around 6:00 a.m. to verify the information, I discovered that he had already been taken away. As a family, we are calling for the immediate release of our brother,” he said.

The family expressed hope for his swift release and appealed to the authorities to free him so he can continue contributing to peace and national development.

“We remain hopeful that the same hand President Salva Kiir Mayardit used to sign the release of Dr. Bak Chol [former finance minister] can also grant freedom to others,” Geng Kom Geng added.

Benjamin Oliver Modi, spokesperson of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, said he was not aware of the arrest.

Separate sources also confirmed the arrest of another MP, Ayii Ayii Akol, brother of Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol.

He also hails from Aweil East County.

Under Article 67 of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, members of parliament enjoy immunity from arrest and prosecution unless their immunity is lifted by the relevant legislative chamber.

Criminal proceedings or action against an MP’s person or property cannot be taken without permission from the Speaker, except when the lawmaker is caught committing an offence that allows arrest without a warrant.

Parliament may waive immunity if the legislator is charged with a serious crime.