By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Ethiopian police arrested Yetbarek Dawit and nine alleged accomplices on Monday in Shire, northern Tigray, Ethiopia, for reportedly leading an international human trafficking network operating since 2018 that transported migrants to Libya and forced their families to pay ransoms through torture and extortion, following a cross-border investigation supported by testimonies and an EU-funded anti-smuggling unit known as ROCK using tracking technology.
Arrest in Northern Ethiopia
Security forces detained the suspects in Shire after months of coordinated surveillance.
Police later moved them to Addis Ababa for further investigation.
Authorities say the suspect used multiple aliases to evade capture.
Investigators describe him as the network’s central coordinator.
Allegations of Brutal Torture and Extortion
Police accuse the group of running detention warehouses in Libya.
Migrants allegedly suffered extreme abuse to force ransom payments from relatives.
Victims reportedly endured beatings with sticks, rubber, and electric wires.
Investigators also allege cases of sexual violence and severe injuries.
Some victims faced food restrictions and harsh confinement conditions.
Families received threats until they paid additional money.
Scale of the Human Trafficking Operation
Authorities believe the network moved more than 3,000 migrants.
Victims reportedly came from countries across East and North Africa.
These included Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and Sudan.
Police say the group’s activities caused over 100 deaths.
Investigators also link the network to dozens of sexual abuse cases.
The operation allegedly generated more than $19 million.
International Investigation and Intelligence Support
The arrests followed a long-running cross-border investigation.
The Regional Operational Centre (ROCK) supported the operation.
The European Union funds this anti-smuggling initiative.
Investigators used testimonies from over 100 victims and families worldwide.
Witnesses came from Europe, North America, and Africa.
Authorities combined digital tracking with intelligence sharing across borders.
Asset Seizure and Financial Disruption
Police froze bank accounts linked to the suspects.
Authorities also confiscated properties believed to belong to the group.
Investigators aim to dismantle the financial structure of the network.
Officials say more arrests may follow.
Ongoing Legal Process
The suspects remain in custody.
Authorities have not yet filed formal charges in court.
Investigations continue across multiple countries involved in the trafficking route.
Officials say international cooperation remains critical.
