Nigeria’s Sheikh Zakzaky Deprived of Treatment despite Eye Disease
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – While Nigerian Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky’s glaucoma has deteriorated in recent days, the Abuja government is still depriving the imprisoned cleric of medical treatment, his daughter said.
Sheikh Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), is suffering from eye disease and his glaucoma has reached critical levels, Suhaila Zakzaky told Al Ahed.
Although a physician has been permitted to examine Sheikh Zakzaky in custody, specialized hospitals in Nigeria refrain from administering treatment to the ailing cleric, she added.
In December 2016, Abuja division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria ruled that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat should be released unconditionally.
The prominent cleric and his wife were taken into custody on December 14, 2015, after deadly clashes between the supporters of the IMN and Nigerian troops.
Nearly 350 members of the Shiite movement were killed in the clashes. The sheikh was brutally injured and his house was reportedly destroyed by the army in the incident.
Local sources say Sheikh Zakzaky needs immediate health care, an eye surgery, and an operation to extract a pellet in his wrist.
