Algerian judges clash with riot police during lawyers' strike

The judges were joined by lawyers and prosecutors in protesting the reshuffling of 3,000 magistrates by the ministry of justice.

Battles between protesters and police took place in the courtroom of Oran, a city in western Algeria, where the swearing-in of new pro-government judges was taking place, according to Morocco World News. 

The re-shuffling by the government was slammed as "a stranglehold by the executive over the power of the judiciary," said the National Magistrates' Syndicate (SNM).

Algeria's ministry of justice announced Monday that an investigation would be opened into the incident, according to Algerie 1 news website. 

The tensions follow an open-ended strike started by legal officials on 27 October that is now entering its second week. 

The justice ministry defended its actions and said the reshuffle of the magistrates was "validated unanimously" by the members of the judicial council.

According to the SNM the strike was being observed by 96 percent of all judges and prosecutors.

The move comes as the country remains wracked by anti-government protests against a planned December presidential election that must be overseen by judges.