Judges Defect to Syrian Opposition

Urging others to do the same

AMMAN, Jordan—Syrian activists say nine state judges and prosecutors have defected to the opposition.

The Britain-based Observatory for Human Rights says the latest defectors from the regime of President Bashar Assad come from the northern city of Adlib.

In video statement, posted online Sunday, the nine judges identify themselves by name as one of them reads a joint statement and urges others to break ranks with Assad.