Tunisian police close down Supreme Judicial Council offices
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After Tunisia's President announced the dissolution of the Supreme Judicial Council, Tunisian police close it down and bar employees from entry.
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Tunisia's Supreme Judicial Council was closed down today
Tunisia's police have locked the doors of the Supreme Judicial Council a day after President Kais Saied announced its dissolution, the council's head said on Monday.
Police have also barred staff from entering the building. "The president has moved to the stage of seizing institutions. What is happening is very dangerous and illegal," said Youssef Bouzakher, the council's chief.
President Saied said on Sunday that he had dissolved the major body that deals with judicial independence.
He said in a video that the Supreme Judicial Council (CSM) "is a thing of the past from this moment”, adding that he will issue a temporary decree to the council.
It is worth mentioning that the Council was established in 2016 as an independent and constitutional body. Its responsibilities include protecting the judiciary's independence, disciplining judges, and promoting them professionally.
Saied's ruling brings to a close month of vehement criticism of the judges. The Tunisian President has repeatedly denounced the judiciary for taking too long to issue rulings, most notably in cases of corruption and terrorism.
The Tunisian President's announcement sparked fears regarding the rule of law in Tunisia after he seized control of virtually all authorities in the country last summer in a move branded by his opponents as a "coup".
Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi, the speaker of Tunisia's suspended parliament, voiced solidarity with the judges in a statement. Three other parties, Attayar, Joumhouri, and Ettakatol also issued statements rejecting Saied's move.
