Iran Press/Iran news: Speaking on Tuesday, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi referred to the poor health of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaki, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), and urged Nigerian officials to immediately release the Sheikh from prison, so that he can receive urgent medical attention outside of prison.
Mousavi referred to a report by a team of doctors which recommended over two months ago that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife be allowed to leave Nigeria to receive urgent medical treatment, which both of them need.
According to an Iran Press report, Mousavi also spoke about the need to preserve the security and stability of Nigeria, and to ensure the comfort and prosperity of the Nigerian people.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman urged the Nigerian government to listen to the concerns of the Nigerian people, to try to sort out problems through dialogue, and to alleviate public concern regarding the state of health of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.
It is worth noting that on Monday (yesterday) fierce and fatal clashes occurred between the supporters of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaki and Nigerian Police, with at least 11 supporters of the Sheikh being killed by police.
The heavy-handed tactics and use of violence by Nigerian Police against peaceful protesters has been condemned by human rights groups such as Amnesty International.
Sheikh Zakzaky, now 66, has been in detention since December 2015 after his residence in the city of Zaria in northern Nigeria was raided by the army, during which he was beaten and lost the vision in his left eye.
During the brutal arrest, three of his sons were also killed, his wife sustained serious wounds, and more than 300 of his followers were killed.
Recent reports said that his health has been deteriorating, but prison authorities have prevented him from getting much-needed treatment.
Earlier this month, Zakzaky's son said after visiting him that he had been shocked by his father’s worsening medical condition, stressing that he needed to be immediately hospitalized as “large and dangerous quantities of lead and cadmium have been found in his blood.”
He added that Nigerian authorities had not taken any action so far and that they intended to murder his father.203/211
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