Tunisia’s president has sacked 57 judges, accusing them of corruption, protecting “terrorists”, and sexual harassment as he strengthened his grip on the judiciary.
In a televised address, Saied said he had “given opportunity after opportunity and warning after warning to the judiciary to purify itself.”
Last July, critics accused Saied of making a grab for one man-rule after he sacked the government and took hold of executive powers. He was accused of staging a coup after ditching the 2014 constitution, to rule instead of by decree.
Under pressure from Tunisia’s allies, who are concerned about democratic backsliding in the country, Saied has laid out a roadmap that foresees organizing a July 25 referendum on political reforms to amend the constitution.
That would be followed by a parliamentary election on Dec. 17.