After Tunisian President Kais Saied dissolved a major body dealing with judicial independence, the Association of Tunisian Judges issued a call to halt all court operations within the country in the next two days.

Tunisian President Kais Saied announced on Monday that the council was dissolved, but promised to never meddle with the judicial authority in the country. 

In a Facebook post, the association announced the call to suspend work "in protest against the flagrant violation of the independence of the judicial branch by the president and the dissolution of the Supreme Judicial Council," adding that Saeid's announcement is a direct interference in the judicial branch.

The association also urged all judges to attend a scheduled demonstration in front of the Supreme Judicial Council headquarters on Thursday.

On Saturday, Saied mentioned his intention to dissolve the judicial watchdog but did not sign the decree. Yesterday, police barred employees from entering the Supreme Judicial Council. 

In late July, the Tunisian President dismissed Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi and suspended parliament. In October, the president announced the formation of a new government, without lifting the parliament's suspension.