Demonstrators Demand Zakzaky’s Release, At Least Six Killed by Nigerian Forces
The group’s members and supporters were holding a rally demanding the immediate release of the senior Shia Muslim figure Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky, who has been locked up in a government jail since 2015.
The rally was held following reports of worsening health conditions of both he and his wife who is also being held.
Mahdi Garba, a member of the Shia movement, told Al Jazeera that Monday's protest started peacefully with supporters chanting “Free Zakzaky” but their members were attacked by the police.
“The total number of casualties is yet to be ascertained but for now four persons confirmed dead and many injured,” Garba said.
Others said the number of those killed was at least six.
Another eyewitness said police fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at the protesters in an area that houses the parliament building, executive, and judicial arm.
“Shots were fired as I came out of a building in the central area, which was packed with civil servants during their lunch break,” Fakhuus Hashim said.
Zakzaky, now 66, has been in detention since December 2015 after his residence in the city of Zaria was raided by Nigeria’s forces, during which he was beaten and lost 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.
Zakzaky was charged in April 2018 with murder, culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, disruption of public peace, and other accusations. He has pleaded not guilty, vehemently rejecting all accusations brought up against him.
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.
In 2016, Nigeria’s federal high court ordered Zakzaky’s unconditional release from jail following a trial, but the government has so far refused to set him free.
