Deputy FM: Iran discussing Sheikh Zakzaky's health conditions, freedom with Nigeria

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari voiced his country's serious concern over the continued imprisonment and unfavorable health conditions of Nigeria's leading Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

He said that Tehran is negotiating with Abuja over Zakzaky's freedom.

"We are consulting with the Nigerian government to set up a probe commission in that country to put an end to Sheikh Zakzaky's incarceration and we are following up his health conditions," Jaberi Ansari said on Sunday, addressing a press conference in Iran's northeastern holy city of Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province.

He reiterated that Iran will use its capacities to resolve the problems of the Muslims countries, but the threats from outside the Muslim countries is to such an extent that if all Muslim states will also be mobilized, the terror-related problems will still prevail.

The Nigerian army attacked two religious centers of the country's Shiite Muslim community on December 12, martyring hundreds of defenseless civilians. Later on December 13, the military arrested Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife after raiding their house and martyring three of his sons, assistants and followers.

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have demanded setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the killings of their colleagues in Zaria on December 12 and 13, during a meeting with House of Representatives panel.

They have also demanded the unconditional release of their leader Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife.

EA