Tasnim � The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) called on the government to release senior cleric Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus in the African country.

�Sheikh Zakzaky deserves immediate freedom for very many reasons particularly at this difficult period that the nation is facing the scourge of Coronavirus,� the IMN said in a statement on Friday addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, according to the movement�s official website.

The IMN reminded that even before the outbreak, Zakzaky was already in need of �expert medical attention as a result of the injuries he sustained when the military attacked his residence in December 2015."

Nigeria�s military carried out the attack as part of a deadly state-ordered escalation targeting the movement that Abuja has branded as illegal.

During the attack, the 66-year-old was beaten and lost his left eye and his wife sustained serious wounds.

The violence led to the death of three of Zakzaky�s sons and more than 300 of his followers.

The statement noted that Zakzaky had �additionally suffered multiple strokes while in detention and was found to have dangerously very high levels of toxic heavy metals circulating in his system.�

Zakzaky was charged in April 2018 with murder, culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, the disruption of public peace, and other accusations. He has pleaded not guilty.

The IMN, meanwhile, noted that a 2016 Federal High Court ruling has ruled Zakzaky�s arrest �unlawful, unconstitutional, and a breach of his fundamental rights.�

Last August, the cleric and his wife were transferred to India to receive medical care but were returned abruptly without receiving any treatment.

The novel virus that can cause a potentially fatal respiratory infection called COVID-19 has killed close to 102,700 people worldwide since emerging in central China late last year. Nigeria has reported seven deaths and 240 active cases.