Additional Name(s): Ibrahim Zakzaky

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nigeria

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a

Health Concerns: Minor strokes, sight loss

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: December/12/2015

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Murder & Attempted Murder Public Disorder

Ibrahim El Zakzaky

Extra Bio Info:

Ibrahim El Zakzaky was detained for his religious belief, religious activity, and religious leadership role. 

On December 12, 2015, authorities arrested El Zakzaky, a Shi'a Muslim cleric and leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), and his wife, Zeenah Ibraheem, reportedly after the Nigerian army killed more than 300 IMN followers in Zaria, including three of the couple's sons.

In December 2019, the High Court of Nigeria reportedly ordered El Zakzaky and Ibraheem's release, but they remained in custody. 

In August 2019, a judge granted El Zakzaky and Ibraheem bail to travel to India to receive medical care. When the couple arrived in India, they were reportedly dissatisfied and distrusting of the medical team and conditions at the hospital and refused treatment.

In September 2020, El Zakzaky and Ibraheem pleaded not guilty to "culpable homicide," "unlawful assembly," "disruption of public peace," and other charges.

On July 28, 2021, a court in Kaduna State acquitted El Zakzaky and Ibraheem of all charges and ordered their release. 

On an unspecified date, El Zakzaky and Ibraheem were released.

Related Cases: Zeenah Ibraheem

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