TUNIS, Tunisia 

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

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Saied cited disruption of investigation into terrorist cases, protecting a terror suspect and financial corruption for his decision to sack these judges.

Shortly after his remarks, a presidential decree published by the official gazette announced the dismissal of 57 judges.

Among those sacked was Youssef Bouzaker, the former head of the Supreme Judicial Council whose members the Tunisian president replaced this year.

Another prominent judge on the list was Bachir Akremi, whom Saied’s supporters accuse of being too close to the Ennahda Party.

Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep political crisis since July 25, 2021, when Saied dismissed the government, suspended parliament, and assumed executive authority, in a move decried by opponents as a “coup.” He later dissolved the parliament in March after lawmakers held a session to revoke his measures.

*Writing by Bassel Barakat