Ethiopia’s prominent opposition leader, Jawar Mohammed has tested negative for the coronavirus, the Federal First Instance Court, Arada Branch heard.

During the preliminary hearings at the Arada First Instance Court in the capital Addis on Thursday, the court was presented with the medical reports of Jawar and other detainees, based on the court’s previous order.

The reports signed by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute showed that Oromo Federalist Congress leaders, Jawar Mohammed and Bekele Gerba, and two suspects Hamza Adane, and Shemsedin Teha have tested negative for COVID-19.

During the last hearing on Monday, Jawar complained of being ill. He told the court that he did not wish to be seen by a physician assigned by the government, and asked the court to issue an order so that he could be seen by his private doctor, for which the court answered in the positive.

Six detainees who were arrested with Jawar tested positive for COVID-19, it was said.

Health officials across the nation have been concerned about coronavirus outbreaks in jails and prisons.