Judges, prosecutors and lawyers have staged an unusual protest at Algeria's Supreme Court to demand more judicial independence, amid resurgent tensions in the country's 9-month-old political crisis.
Hundreds of magistrates, many wearing traditional black-and-red robes, joined in Monday's demonstration in the capital Algiers. It was prompted by anger over a military intervention Sunday to dislodge striking judicial officials in a courthouse in the city of Oran.
Many Algerian magistrates have been on strike for days over what they call increasing pressure from the government. They want the justice minister fired.
Algerian soldiers guard the Bir Mourad Rais courthouse in Algiers, Monday, Nov.4, 2019 during a hand-over ceremony of a new prosecutor. Judges and prosecutors began an open-ended strike last Wednesday to demand the independence of the judiciary after a massive reshuffle that has affected thousands. (AP PhotoFateh Guidoum)
The government says strikers are a minority and their protests are preventing others from working.
The government wants the magistrates back at work before Algeria's Dec. 12 presidential election, because they ensure elections are carried out according to the law.
A Supreme Court magistrate holds a poster reading " Justice is above security forces" during a protest in Algiers, Monday, Nov.4, 2019 against a police crackdown Sunday on the appeal court of Oran, northwestern Algeria. Judges and prosecutors began an open-ended strike last Wednesday to demand the independence of the judiciary after a massive reshuffle that has affected thousands. (AP PhotoFateh Guidoum)
Algerian police forces stand guard outside the Bir Mourad Rais courthouse in Algiers, Monday, Nov.4, 2019 during a hand-over ceremony of a new prosecutor. Judges and prosecutors began an open-ended strike last Wednesday to demand the independence of the judiciary after a massive reshuffle that has affected thousands. (AP PhotoFateh Guidoum)
Supreme Court magistrates stand on the steps of the court to protest in Algiers, Monday, Nov.4, 2019 against a police crackdown Sunday on the appeal court of Oran, northwestern Algeria. Judges and prosecutors began an open-ended strike last Wednesday to demand the independence of the judiciary after a massive reshuffle that has affected thousands. (AP PhotoFateh Guidoum)