Tunisian President Kais Saied has sacked 57 judges, accusing them of corruption and protecting terrorists.
In a television address, he said he had given the judiciary multiple opportunities and warnings to “purify” itself.
Hours later, the official gazette published a decree announcing the dismissals.
Among the sackings announced in the government’s official gazette was Youssef Bouzaker, the former head of the Supreme Judicial Council.
Another prominent casualty of the purge was Bachir Akremi.
Some political activists say the judge is too close to the Ennahda party and accuse him of stopping cases against it.
Ennahda has been the most powerful party in Tunisia since the 2011 revolution that led to the ousting of its long-time president, playing a role in backing successive coalition governments.
However, it lost support as the economy stagnated and public services declined.
Ennahda and Akremi both deny the allegations.
President Saied replaced the council earlier this year – part of his efforts to consolidate his position after he seized power last July.
He has already dismissed Tunisia’s elected parliament and set aside the constitution.
Mr Saied has promised a referendum on a new constitution next month.
Opposition parties and the main trade union umbrella have rejected the move.