Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam

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Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam
NationalityEritrean
Occupationhuman trafficker
Known forHuman Trafficking

Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam is an Eritrean human trafficker. He was wanted for large-scale human trafficking of people from Africa to Europe.[1] He is described as "one of the world's most notorious and most brutal human traffickers".[2][3]

Habtemariam smuggled migrants from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan, through Libya to Europe. Victims faced aggravated beatings, kidnappings and rapings.[2] The man is said to have earned as much money as possible of migrants. He operated a warehouse - Bani Walid in Libya.[3] According to the Dutch Public Prosecution Service he led an 'extremely violent criminal organization'.[2]

Habtemariam worked with another human trafficker, Tewelde Goitom.[3]

In 2020 Habtemariam was arrested in Ethiopia. In 2021 he escaped custody. He was later sentenced in absentia to life in prison.[3] The United Arab Emirates tracked him down in a money laundering investigation.[2] He was arrested on 1 January 2023 in Sudan.[1]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Beruchte mensensmokkelaar uit Eritrea aangehouden". RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 5 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Beruchte door Nederland gezochte mensensmokkelaar uit Eritrea aangehouden". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 5 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "World's 'most wanted people smuggler' arrested in Sudan". Al Jazeera. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.