Iran Welcomes Nigerian Gov't Permission for Sheikh Zakzaki's Medical Treatment

TEHRAN (defapress)- The Iranian foreign ministry on Saturday welcomed as a "positive move" the Nigerian government's permission to prominent Shiite leader Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaki and his wife to go under medical examination and treatment.

News ID: 77074

Date: 27 April 2019 - 15:33

A delegation of expert doctors and consultants led by Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) conducted an initial study into the health conditions of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Zakzaky, and his wife, Zinat, earlier this week.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi welcomed the development, and expressed the hope that after full treatment of Sheikh Zakzaki and his wife inside or outside Nigeria, the trend of constructive interaction and talks between the Islamic Movement and the Nigerian government would lead to the resolution of problems and full freedom of the Shiite leader.

Sheikh Zakzaki and his wife have been held in detention by the federal government since 2015. They are standing trial over allegations of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace, among others.

This initial report by medical personnel reportedly highlighted the need for urgent examinations into their health which the team hopes will be carried out in next couple of days.

IHRC acknowledged the authorities’ change of position in making this possible and hoped this would herald a full and fair resolution of the situation.

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