Egypt: 32 pro-Morsi judges forced into premature retirement

32 judges have been forced to retire by the Egypt’s disciplinary board of judges on Monday for engaging in political activities and signing a controversial statement in support of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

The board claimed that the judges had signed the “Rabaa statement” that showed support for Morsi who was ousted by military during the July 2013 mass protest.

#Egypt's Supreme Judicial Council forced 32 judges into retirement for having opposed coup against President Morsi: https://t.co/9RtwdqC8dU

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) March 29, 2016

Over 60 judges had been referred to the disciplinary board by Judge Mohamed Shereen in October 2014. The disciplinary board acquitted 22 other judges of the same charges and said the decision was final and not subject to appeal.

The government on the other hand has said that the judges violated article 73 of the judiciary and that their act constituted political involvement.

The disciplinary board act is stipulated in the Egyptian laws and their duties can only be halted by the Supreme Judicial Council.