A top Lakes state official is calling for the immediate release of two state legislators who have been held for nearly two months without charge.

Radio Miraya reports that Marik Nanga Marik, the Rumbek North County MP, and Isaac Makur Buoc Apac, the MP from Rumbek East County, were detained on October 24.

Mabor Ater Dhuol, the secretary of the SPLM party in Lakes state, said the two should be released before Christmas. “There is no justification for their arrest,” he said. “There is no evidence brought to the state assembly, the institution where they are working.”

The Speaker of Lakes state’s parliament had earlier said the governor had claimed “special powers” to arrest members of parliament without first lifting their immunity, which is required by law.