Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam
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Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam
| |
|---|---|
| Born | 1975[1] Zirben[1]
|
| Occupation | human trafficker |
| Known for | Human Trafficking |
Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam is an Eritrean, on trial (as of June 2026) in the Netherlands on multiple charges relating to human trafficking. For some years he had been wanted for alleged large-scale human trafficking of people from Africa to Europe.[2] He has been described as "one of the world's most notorious and most brutal human traffickers".[3][4]
It is alleged that Habtemariam smuggled migrants from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan, through Libya to Europe. Victims faced kidnappings, torture, aggravated beatings, and rapings.[3] He is said to have extorted as much money as possible from migrants. He operated a warehouse - Bani Walid in Libya.[4] According to the Dutch Public Prosecution Service he led an 'extremely violent criminal organization'.[3]
Habtemariam apparently worked with another human trafficker, Tewelde Goitom,[4] and at least five others who are named in ongoing legal proceedings in the Netherlands.[5]
Arrests and legal process
In 2020 Habtemariam was arrested in Ethiopia. In 2021 he escaped custody. He was later sentenced in absentia to life in prison.[4][6] Subsequently, the United Arab Emirates tracked him down in a money laundering investigation,[3] and he was arrested on 1 January 2023 in Sudan.[2]
He served 18 months in prison in the UAE for money laundering, whereafter he was extradited[7] from the UAE to the Netherlands (where there is a significant Eritrean community) to face trial.[8][9] A preliminary hearing was held on 31 March 2026.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Situation Report: Court case of alleged Eritrean smuggler Kidane starts in the Netherlands; Prosecution brings charges of human smuggling, rape and extortion". EEPA. 31 March 2026. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ^ a b "Beruchte mensensmokkelaar uit Eritrea aangehouden" [Notorious human smuggler from Eritrea arrested]. RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 5 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Beruchte door Nederland gezochte mensensmokkelaar uit Eritrea aangehouden" [Notorious human smuggler from Eritrea, wanted by the Netherlands, arrested]. De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 5 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d "World's 'most wanted people smuggler' arrested in Sudan". Al Jazeera. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ Plaut, Martin (19 October 2025). "A Dutch trial that will expose the Eritrean trafficking network". Martin Plaut. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ^ "How the law finally caught up with notorious human trafficker Kidane". www.ft.com. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ^ "Eritrean man charged with human trafficking extradited to the Netherlands". origonews.com. 2026-04-02. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
- ^ "Eritrean man accused of people-smuggling is extradited to the Netherlands". Yahoo News. 24 December 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ^ "Escape, extradition and trial: the case of human trafficker Kidane". IDN-InDepthNews. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 22 June 2026.