[Source: Tigrayherald.com, by Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice (TAHRJ) in partnership with Tigray Media Watch–Digital Intelligence Group and Tigray Herald Public Affairs Editorial Platform]
Executive Summary
The tragic and brutal murder of Zewdu Haftu, a vibrant and principled young Tigrayan woman, exposed the moral rot within Tigray’s justice system and the unchecked impunity of politically protected elites. Today, the verdict issued by the court in Mekelle finding Yarde Gebreselassie and Anegsome Hailemariam guilty and sentencing them to life imprisonment is a welcomed step toward justice. However, this development must be met with vigilant monitoring, given the deep-rooted history of political interference and judicial manipulation that has plagued this case from the outset.
Zewdu Haftu’s death was not an isolated act of violence, but the culmination of serial abuses ofpower, dynastic privilege, and state-enabled murder. Yarend, the son of Colonel Gebreselassie Belay (former Deputy Commissioner of the Tigray Police and current Commander of Army Division 22), was also accused in the unresolved killing of engineer Muluberhan Mekonnen.Both crimes were marked by obstruction, threats against judges and witnesses, and institutional sabotage of due process.
This report critically examines not only the crimes themselves, but the broader failure of Tigray’sjudicial system, the lingering influence of “Above the Core” military elites, and the ongoing threatof impunity. The life sentence verdict, while important, must not mark the end of public pressure but the beginning of serious reform.
“When Justice Stumbles: The Zewdu Haftu Verdict and the Struggle to Dismantle Tyranny in Tigray”
The Case: A Chronicle of Brutality, Impunity, and Delayed Justice for the Victim and Her Family
Victim: Zewdu Haftu, a respected and socially engaged young woman, was murdered in Mekelle in the days leading up to the Ashenda celebration. Her killing, described by medical experts as“inhuman and intentional,” included deliberate denial of emergency medical care despite her being alive moments after the attack.
Convicted Perpetrators
- Yarde Gebreselassie Belay Direct perpetrator in both the Zewdu Haftu and the earlier murder of engineer Muluberhan Mekonnen.
- Anegsome Hailmariam Co-conspirator and active participant.
Verdict Announced
On July 11, 2025, the Mekelle City Court found both defendants guilty of premeditated murder,sentencing them to life imprisonment.TAHRJ and its partners welcome this verdict as a necessary afirmation of judicial authority but remain cautious. Given the influence of Yarde’s father, Colonel Gebreselassie Belay, this verdict must be followed by rigorous and transparent enforcement, including monitoring of prison conditions and long-term incarceration.
Ongoing Concerns
Potential for covert release or preferential treatment. Lack of public oversight on imprisonment. No accountability for institutional accomplices or enablers.
Political Protection and Obstruction of Justice
Throughout the investigation and trial, Colonel Gebreselassie Belay systematically used his power to obstruct justice and protect his son. As both former Deputy Commissioner of the Tigray Police and current military commander, his influence created a culture of fear, manipulation, and interference:
Judicial Intimidation Judges and prosecutors faced direct threats and were subjected topolitical pressure.
Courtroom Disruptions
His wife was sent to create chaos and influence proceedings.Manipulation of Law Enforcement – Police oficers were pressured to delay orderail investigations.
Administrative Sabotage
Legal protocols were intentionally blocked or distorted from within state institutions.This is not merely abuse of ofice it constitutes gross obstruction of justice and possibly criminal complicity in the cover-up of a murder.
Systemic Collapse: Tigray’s Legal Foundations Under Siege
Zewdu Haftu’s case highlights the enduring structural crisis in Tigray’s legal system. Despite the collapse of the old regime, its dynastic military networks continue to function as untouchable centers of power undermining justice, human rights, and public trust.
Key Findings
Witness intimidation and coercion remain wide spread.Judicial independence is severely compromised by entrenched elites. Investigative sabotage continues, with ethical oficers replaced or paralyzed. Militarized protection rackets shield perpetrators from accountability. These conditions represent not just internal failure but violations of international law, includingthe right to a fair trial, equal protection under the law, and due process.
Legal and Political Demands
While we acknowledge the court’s guilty verdict, true justice remains incomplete. We therefore demand the following:
- Immediate dismissal and criminal investigation of Colonel Gebreselassie Belay for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and possible complicity.
- Independent oversight and monitoring of the life imprisonment terms of both Yared Gebreselassie and Anegsome Hailmariam.
- A formal independent forensic inquiry into the murders of Zewdu Haftu, Muluberhan Mekonnen, and other unresolved politically sensitive cases.
- Comprehensive protection for all judges, investigators, and witnesses who risked their safety in the pursuit of truth.
- Public transparency through a detailed report and hearing process to restore community trust and initiate institutional reform.
National and International Appeals
This is not a local legal matter it is a human rights crisis. We call on the following bodies to take urgent action:
Domestic Stakeholders:
- Tigray Interim Government President Tadesse Worede
- Tigray Police Commission – Commissioner General Gebre Adehana (“Gebre Deala”)
- Civic & Religious Institutions – Especially women’s and youth associations
Diaspora and Legal Advocacy Networks - The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
International Stakeholders:
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Amnesty International
- Human Rights Watch International
- Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
- UN Women & Global Gender Justice Movements
- Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in Ethiopia
- Global Media & Investigative Legal Networks
A Stark Warning
“When the guilty are protected and the innocent are silenced, the law becomes the weapon of tyranny.”We issue this urgent warning to the people of Tigray:The justice system remains under siege by the remnants of corrupt power networks.The Above the Core military elite continues to operate beyond accountability.If this case fades without structural reform, impunity will be institutionalised, and no citizen will be safe.
Call to Action
This report is not only about Zewdu Haftu. It is about the soul of Tigray’s legal and moral order.Let this moment be a pivot not a pause. We must transform this verdict into a launching point for sweeping reforms in law, governance, and civil accountability.
We Demand:
- Justice without compromise.
- Dismantling of political protection mechanisms.
- Independent, demilitarised, and publicly accountable courts.
- Empowered citizen advocacy for human rights.
- If Zewdu Haftu’s death is to have meaning, her legacy must be a new era of justice in Tigray.
Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice (TAHRJ) in partnership with Tigray Media Watch–Digital Intelligence Group and Tigray Herald Public Affairs Editorial Platform
Contact: tahrj@outlook.com