The Meqelle Town Central Court passed capital and lifelong rigorous prison service against two men who abducted student Mahlet Teklay and killed her after taking her away in a Bajaj.
Student Mahlet Teklay, aged 16, was abducted on March 29, 2024 on her way to school and killed on March 31, 2024 whereas her dead body was discovered three months later (June 19, 2024).
The first defendant, Awet Negasi, strangled her while the second defendant, Nahom Fitsum, intentionally escaped with the two in a Bajaj. The Public Prosecutor explained to the court as saying Awet Negasi made the girl suffer throttling her for 30 minutes using the thread used to tie shoes.
Student Mahlet Teklay, aged 16, was abducted on March 29, 2024 on her way to school and killed on March 31, 2024 whereas her dead body was discovered three months later (June 19, 2024).
The first defendant, Awet Negasi, strangled her while the second defendant, Nahom Fitsum, intentionally escaped with the two in a Bajaj. The Public Prosecutor explained to the court as saying Awet Negasi made the girl suffer throttling her for 30 minutes using the thread used to tie shoes.
The first defendant had repeatedly requested her father, Mr. Teklay Girmay, for ransom for three months before the killing. Again three days after the killing and burying the body, the culprit demanded father of the girl for payment of ETB 3,000,000.00 (ETB three million) ransom.
The Public Prosecutor indicated that the second defendant, as an accomplice of the first defendant, collaborated in committing the crime and underscored before the court that it was an act of heinous crime.
Accordingly, the court bench on 2nd December passed the punishment sentence against the first and second defendants, the perpetrators of the crime against the young student. The court passed death sentence against the first defendant and lifelong rigorous prison service against the second defendant.
Source: Borkenna Ethiopian News and Informed Opinion (December 5, 2024)
The CDG appreciate the Tigray Court for timely ruling against the type of acts of crime that are on the rise in the country and encourage others to follow suit. The acts of abduction followed by demand for ransom has become frequent, according to news reports. We believe, the acts of crime of killing children and other horrendous acts should be condemned.
The Public Prosecutor indicated that the second defendant, as an accomplice of the first defendant, collaborated in committing the crime and underscored before the court that it was an act of heinous crime.
Accordingly, the court bench on 2nd December passed the punishment sentence against the first and second defendants, the perpetrators of the crime against the young student. The court passed death sentence against the first defendant and lifelong rigorous prison service against the second defendant.
Source: Borkenna Ethiopian News and Informed Opinion (December 5, 2024)
The CDG appreciate the Tigray Court for timely ruling against the type of acts of crime that are on the rise in the country and encourage others to follow suit. The acts of abduction followed by demand for ransom has become frequent, according to news reports. We believe, the acts of crime of killing children and other horrendous acts should be condemned.