(AP) - The Hopi tribe’s vice chairman has been arrested for trying to block the chairman from his offices.

It’s the latest twist in a dispute centered on the chairman’s qualifications for office.

Todd Honyaoma Senior was arrested yesterday for trying to keep Chairman Ben Nuvamsa and his staff from reoccupying their offices under a 15-day restraining order.

Honyaoma had delivered a letter to the chairman’s office on Friday saying the Hopi Tribal Council would not abide by a Hopi appeals court’s order.

Nuvamsa was elected to the post in February but was removed after only 27 days in office by the Council.

The council nullified the election after deciding he was ineligible because he did not meet residency requirements.

Nuvamsa questioned the council’s legal authority to negate an election and filed a lawsuit. The appeals court issued its temporary order last week.

KOLD