Egypt demotes judges accused of supporting outlawed political groups

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered that a number of judges be stripped of their positions and moved to administrative roles due to their alleged support for outlawed political organisations.

The move on Thursday came in response to a recommendation from the High Council of Judges, the administrative body in charge of overseeing the judicial system.

Among the judges being reassigned is Medhat al-Mult, who until Thursday served as head of the Court of First Instance in Mansoura.

Mult, who is accused of discussing political matters on his personal Facebook account and supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, will be transferred to a position in the ministry of irrigation.

In total six judges are being transferred to positions in the ministries of irrigation, local development and energy.

All are accused of using social media to discuss political matters and of supporting either the Brotherhood or April 6, an outlawed anti-government group.