DHAKA: Egypt’s state media reports that a disciplinary court has ordered 41 judges into compulsory retirement for supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

The Disciplinary Council headed by Nabil Zaki, a judge, did not immediately release the reason for its decision on Saturday, reports the Al Jazeera.

The government has implemented a harsh crackdown on Islamists and secular political opponents since July 2013, when then-army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi following mass protests against his rule.

Some 31 of the judges were sent into compulsory retirement for signing a statement condemning Morsi's removal.

Another 10 were removed from their posts for joining the ‘Judges for Egypt’ group, which supported the Brotherhood even before Morsi’s removal.

“The decision is shocking and it is a massacre of the judges,” Ahmed El-Khatib, one of the punished judges. He made no comment about whether he supported the Brotherhood.

The judges have the right to appeal the decision.

BDST: 1207 HRS, MAR 15, 2015