Protests urge Nigerian Shia cleric’s release from jail
People have held peaceful demonstrations in Niger and Nigeria to demand the release of imprisoned Shia cleric and leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky.
Earlier this week, protesters flocked into the streets of southern Nigerien city of Maradi and Illela, a local government area in the northwestern Nigerian state of Sokoto, denouncing the incarceration of the religious figure.
The demonstrators called for the immediate and unconditional release of Zakzaky, describing the imprisonment of the Shia cleric and a number of his followers as a violation of the Nigerian constitution.
Nigerian soldiers attacked Shia Muslims attending a ceremony at a religious center in the city of Zaria on December 12 last year, accusing them of blocking the convoy of the army’s chief of staff and attempting to assassinate him.
The following day, Nigerian forces also raided Zakzaky’s home and arrested him after reportedly killing those attempting to protect him, including one of IMN senior leaders and its spokesman.
Both incidents led to the deaths of hundreds of members of the religious community, including three of Zakzaky’s sons. Human rights organizations have urged a full investigation into the deadly assaults.
The clergyman is said to have been charged with "criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbances."
The London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) said the Nigerian military had secretly buried hundreds of bodies in the graves after storming Zakzaky's house.
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