Ethiopian authorities have arrested Yetbarek (Yitbarek) Dawit, the alleged leader of a sprawling human trafficking network that smuggled thousands of East Africans to Libya, where many endured torture, sexual abuse, and ransom extortion. Nine key accomplices were also detained in a coordinated operation in Tigray’s Shire region.
Active since at least 2018, the network is accused of moving over 3,000 migrants from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Djibouti toward Libya, a known gateway to Europe. Survivors describe “concentration warehouses” where captives were beaten, starved, and forced to call relatives to pay ransoms. Investigations indicate more than 100 deaths and the sexual assault of 50 women linked to the operation.
Authorities say Dawit used multiple aliases to evade law enforcement across East Africa and Europe. Financial investigations reveal the network generated millions of dollars, prompting authorities to freeze associated assets and bank accounts.
The arrest is part of a broader crackdown on human trafficking in the Horn of Africa. Officials emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, crediting intelligence-sharing through the Khartoum Process and support from Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service.
“This operation is a decisive blow against human trafficking networks exploiting vulnerable migrants,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tewodros Mengistu. “We remain committed to bringing all those involved to justice.”
The case highlights the ongoing risks faced by migrants using Libya as a transit hub, where instability allows traffickers to operate with impunity. Ethiopian authorities are now moving to prosecute Dawit and his accomplices, while continuing efforts to identify and dismantle remaining elements of the network.
