Tunisian President dissolves top judicial council

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Tunisian President Kais Saied said Sunday that he had dissolved a major body dealing with judicial independence.

The president said in a video that The Superior Council of the Judiciary (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 Supreme Judicial 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 rule most notably in cases of corruption and terrorism.

The July 25 movement has demanded on Saturday that the president dissolve the CSM in order to "purge" the judiciary of "corrupt magistrates".

Ahead of the 9th anniversary of the assassination of secular politician Chokri Belaid, the Tunisian president said: "Unfortunately in this country, some judges in the courts have manipulated the case."

"This is not the first trial where they have tried to hide the truth for years; in this council, positions and appointments are sold and made according to affiliations; You cannot imagine the money that certain judges have been able to receive, billions and billions," he added.

The President terminated all financial rights for council members last month.

During a speech in the interior ministry, he said: "In this council, positions and appointments are sold according to loyalties. Their place is not the place where they sit now, but where the accused stand.”

A large demonstration is planned for Sunday to commemorate the assassinations of Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi, who were both slain in July of the same year in similar circumstances.

Addressing the protestors, Saied said: “I tell Tunisians to demonstrate freely. It is your right and our right to dissolve the Supreme Judicial Council."

The Tunisian president dismissed the government and suspended parliament in July, a move denounced by his political opponents as a coup.