In the United Kingdom, a serious incident occurred when 38-year-old Ethiopian national Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, convicted of sexual assault against a woman and a 14-year-old girl, was mistakenly released from prison. The case had previously sparked nationwide protests and unrest during the summer, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to The Guardian and The Telegraph.
According to authorities, after his sentencing, Kebatu was supposed to be transferred to an immigration detention center ahead of deportation. However, he was accidentally released from the Chelmsford correctional facility, where he had been serving his sentence. The Telegraph sources suggest that the error may have been a simple “human mistake” during paperwork processing, possibly due to filling out an incorrect form. An internal investigation is ongoing to determine how the error occurred and who is responsible.
Essex police are actively searching for the convicted man. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the situation as “completely unacceptable,” emphasizing that Kebatu must be “immediately apprehended.” Justice Secretary David Lammy ordered an “urgent investigation,” stressing that the offender should be deported for his crimes rather than roaming freely on the streets.
A prison staff member suspected of causing the release has been temporarily suspended from duty while the inquiry continues.
Kebatu was sentenced in September to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of two counts — sexual assault and attempted sexual assault. Investigations revealed that he initially harassed a woman attempting to help him prepare a resume and later made inappropriate advances toward a minor.
During the trial, the 14-year-old victim stated that she now feels “vulnerable and defenseless,” particularly when wearing a skirt. Kebatu denied all charges in court, claiming he had worked as a teacher in Ethiopia. Prosecutor Stuart Cowen, however, described him as a “sexual predator,” noting that his explanations in court were “so unbelievable they lack any credibility.”
Kebatu had arrived in the UK just a few days before his arrest, arriving by a small boat. As an asylum seeker, he had been living temporarily in a hotel in Epping. His case sparked protests outside the hotel and unrest across the country during the summer, drawing widespread public attention.
Earlier we wrote that Spanish city of Terrassa suspends black cat adoptions from shelters during Halloween.
