More than 1000 Algeria judges threaten to boycott election if Bouteflika contests

More than 1,000 Algerian judges said they would refuse to oversee the country's election next month if President Abdelaziz Bouteflika contests it, in one of the biggest blows to the ailing leader since protests started more than two weeks ago. In a statement, the judges added that they were forming a new association. Bouteflika returned to Algeria on Sunday after undergoing medical treatment. Protesters have rejected his offer to limit his term if he wins the vote.

(With inputs from agencies.)