Iran Press/ Africa: In a recent update, the court's prosecutor said that she was still compiling evidence and “finalizing its assessment on subject-matter jurisdiction,” according to the International Human Rights Organization (IHRC) website.
"The ICC is waiting for a response from Nigeria that satisfies the court that it is properly investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the massacre. Should the government fail to progress these issues, the ICC will then intervene and see where they can prosecute."
In a clarification sent to the London-based NGO, the ICC said it was still awaiting relevant information promised to it by the Nigerian authorities.
The prosecutor’s update said it “notes with deep concern allegations of ongoing evidence tampering and of the alleged destruction of evidence.”
Last October, IHRC asked the ICC to expedite its investigation after receiving intelligence that the Nigerian authorities were seeking to destroy or tamper with evidence and eliminate witnesses to the massacre.
IHRC believes that over 1000 followers and supporters of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria lost their lives in the Zaria massacre when soldiers attacked civilians and property connected to the movement.
The movement’s leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife Muallima Zeenah have been in detention since the army attack which marked the beginning of an official campaign to crush the organization.
IHRC has called on the Nigerian government to refrain from drawing out the proceedings and do its utmost to pre-empt an ICC prosecution by bringing to trial those responsible for the massacre.
It also urged the Nigerian government to release all the detained supporters and followers of the Islamic Movement and drop false charges against them and to provide support to victims and their families.
Release Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife and pay them court-ordered compensation, it added, locate and return bodies of victims.
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