The Gist: Mezemr Abebe Belayneh, a 67 Snellville man, has been found guilty by a jury for obtaining U.S. citizenship unlawfully by concealing his past involvement in human rights violations during Ethiopia’s Red Terror era.
What Happened?: Belayneh, previously a civilian interrogator at the makeshift Menafesha prison in Dilla, Ethiopia, was charged with persecuting and committing acts of violence against political adversaries during the late 1970s.
He used severe means, including brutal beatings, to extract information about political beliefs from teenagers who were detained for weeks or months.
Belayneh also organized fights between prisoners for the amusement of the prison guards. All this was kept hidden when he obtained a visa in 2001 and later his U.S. citizenship in 2008.
By The Numbers:
- Belayneh obtained his U.S. citizenship in 2008, 7 years after entering the country with a visa.
- The violent interrogations and abuse took place over 45 years ago during Ethiopia’s Red Terror.
- The Red Terror period saw the arrest, interrogation, torture, and execution of thousands of political opponents.
Why It Matters: This conviction reinforces the commitment of the Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that those who violate human rights cannot escape justice by finding refuge in the U.S. It’s a stern reminder that such individuals will be held accountable for their actions, even if they took place decades ago.
What’s Next?: Belayneh’s sentencing is set for November 1, 2023. He was convicted of one count of procuring citizenship contrary to law and another count of procuring citizenship to which he was not entitled.
The Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Field Office, Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tal C. Chaikan, and Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse will be involved in the next stages of this case.
Public tip-offs about former human rights violators residing in the U.S. are welcomed and can be reported through the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or through the online tip form at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp.
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