Ethiopian authorities have apprehended a key figure suspected of orchestrating an international human trafficking operation. The man, identified as Yetbarek Dawit, is believed to be central to a network dealing in millions of dollars. Since 2018, this organization has allegedly lured thousands of individuals with promises of passage to Europe, primarily routing them through Libya.
Sophistication of the Trafficking Operation
Sources within the police indicate that Dawit is accused of operating five detention sites within Libya. Migrants held in these facilities reportedly faced torture, a tactic allegedly used to extort further payment from their families. The arrest took place in Shire, a northern Ethiopian town, where Dawit was apprehended alongside nine individuals considered his associates. As of the report, no formal charges have been filed against the apprehended individuals.
Initial testimonies suggest the scale of the network’s criminal activities has resulted in the deaths of over 100 people and the sexual abuse of more than 50 women. The successful arrests are the culmination of an extensive, cross-border investigation. This effort was supported by the Regional Operational Centre (Rock), an organization established to combat smuggling networks in East Africa and funded by the European Union.
Note: This report contains details that some readers may find disturbing.
Details of the Arrest and Network’s Reach
Photographs of seven men and three women, identified as suspects following their arrest in Shire, were published on the Ethiopian Federal Police’s Facebook page. Shire is located in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, bordering Eritrea and Sudan.
The alleged traffickers are said to have transported upwards of 3,000 individuals, predominantly young people, from Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan to Libya. Multiple routes were reportedly utilized for these journeys.
Aliases and International Pursuit
According to police statements, Yetbarek Dawit is a wanted individual on an international level, known to use a variety of aliases across different regions:
- “Adhanom” in Sudan
- “Ahmed” in Djibouti and Somalia
- “Munir” in Kenya
- “Kibrom” in Sweden and other European countries.
The police stated that knowledge of these varied aliases enabled investigators to employ advanced technological methods to track and locate Dawit. Furthermore, the bank accounts belonging to Dawit and his alleged accomplices have been frozen, and properties associated with the group have been confiscated.
Victim Testimonies and Methods of Abuse
The investigation also benefited from accounts provided by over 100 alleged victims and their families residing in various countries, including Ethiopia, Libya, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Canada. These testimonies shed light on the harrowing experiences of individuals detained in the Libyan warehouses. Detainees were reportedly compelled to contact their families to arrange for additional payments to the traffickers.
Those unable to meet the demands for payment allegedly received minimal food, often only once per day. They were further subjected to severe forms of torture. Accounts describe beatings with rubber materials, sticks, and electric wires, as well as being physically restrained with chains on their hands and feet. Some victims reported having melted plastic dripped onto their bodies.
Women within the network faced allegations of sexual violence, leading to significant physical and psychological trauma. The criminal activities of this group are estimated by authorities to have generated revenues exceeding $19 million USD (£14 million).
Transfer to the Capital
Following their apprehension in Tigray, the ten suspects were transported to Addis Ababa, the nation’s capital, on Monday.