UAE says it performed key function in operation to detain Eritrean nationwide Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam, wished by Interpol.
An Eritrean fugitive accused of being “the world’s most wished” folks smuggler has been arrested in Sudan in coordination with UAE authorities, Interpol introduced.
Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam has been accused of being a smuggling kingpin, operating a camp in Libya the place a whole lot of East African migrants searching for passage to Europe have been allegedly kidnapped, raped and extorted.
Habtemariam, the topic of two Interpol purple notices by Ethiopia and the Netherlands, was arrested on January 1 by Sudanese police in coordination with UAE authorities, UAE inside ministry official Saeed Abdullah al-Suwaidi informed reporters on Thursday.
The Eritrean, on Interpol’s radar since 2019, earned a status for “notably merciless and violent therapy of migrants”, Interpol stated.
“We have now now shut down some of the vital trafficking routes into Europe, which illegally moved hundreds of migrants from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan, by way of Libya and into Europe,” al-Suwaidi stated in an announcement.
Habtemariam’s arrest adopted a joint UAE and Interpol investigation, starting final 12 months, that tracked illicit monetary transactions made by his brother, in keeping with al-Suwaidi.
The Eritrean will now face trial within the UAE for cash laundering, and authorities will assessment the opportunity of his extradition after the case is closed within the UAE, Suwaidi added.
Habtemariam was arrested in Ethiopia in 2020 however escaped custody after one 12 months, and was later sentenced in absentia to life in jail.
He operated warehouses together with within the Libyan city of Bani Walid and was identified for extorting and torturing victims.
‘Horrific exploitation’
Habtemariam had labored with one other notorious human smuggler, Tewelde Goitom, who was infamous for the variety of captive girls he allegedly raped, in keeping with victims Al Jazeera beforehand spoke to.
Habtemariam’s arrest will deal “a big blow to a significant smuggling route in direction of Europe and shield hundreds extra from being exploited by the hands of the crime group”, Interpol stated.
Al-Suwaidi stated the arrest was “just the start” of looking down the remainder of Habtemariam’s community, and the UAE is discussing with Interpol the opportunity of launching one other investigation into a significant human trafficker.
“The UAE will proceed to deploy our full operational capabilities to guard weak communities from this horrific exploitation,” he stated.
Stephen Kavanagh, a director at Interpol, stated Habtemariam was the “most wished” prison together with in Ethiopia and the Netherlands.
The arrest “is a testomony to the Interpol community, and what could be achieved when nations work collectively”, Kavanagh stated, thanking Ethiopia, the Netherlands, the UAE and Sudan for taking part in a “essential function”.
The physique stated extra arrests are anticipated as a part of persevering with investigations, and as coordination continues with a number of member states.
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