Tunisia President Sacks 57 Judges

Tunisian President Kais Saied has sacked 57 judges, accusing them of corruption and protecting terrorists.

President Saied said he had given the judiciary multiple opportunities and warnings to “purify” itself.

Sacked Judges
Among the sackings announced in the government’s official gazette was the former head of the Supreme Judicial Council Youssef Bouzaker.

Another prominent judge on the list of those sacked was Bachir Akremi, whom some political activists accuse of being too close to the Islamist Ennahda party and of stopping cases against it.

President Saied replaced the council earlier this year as part of his efforts to consolidate his position after he seized power last July.

He has already dismissed Tunisia’s elected parliament and set aside the constitution.

Mr. Saied has promised a referendum on a new constitution next month, but opposition parties and the main trade union umbrella are boycotting the move.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere