Tigray Supreme Court Defends Acquittal in Zewdu Haftu Murder Case Amid Public Outcry
ADDIS ABEBA — The Tigray Regional State Supreme Court has issued a formal defense of the controversial acquittal of two men convicted in the brutal 2023 murder of Zewdu Haftu, asserting that the verdict followed a rigorous judicial re-examination ordered by the Court’s Cassation Bench. The statement, released on August 12, comes amid escalating public fury and allegations of judicial interference, witness intimidation, and conflicts of interest involving high-ranking security officials.
Background: A Killing That Galvanized a Region
Zewdu Haftu, a 32-year-old woman, was killed in August 2023 in Mekelle after resisting an attempted sexual assault. According to previous investigations, she was dragged and fatally crushed under a vehicle. The case became a flashpoint for demands for accountability regarding gender-based violence in Tigray, drawing national attention to the safety of women in the post-conflict region.
The two defendants, Yared Gebreslase Belay and Angesom Hailemaryiam, were initially found guilty by the Mekelle City High Court and sentenced to terms up to life imprisonment. The Criminal Bench of the Tigray Regional Supreme Court subsequently upheld these convictions.
The Judicial Path: From Conviction to Cassation
The trajectory of the case shifted dramatically when the defendants petitioned the Supreme Court’s Cassation Bench—the highest judicial authority for reviewing points of law in the regional system.
According to the Supreme Court’s Communication Directorate, the Cassation Bench identified “points that required further review.” Consequently, it reversed the lower courts’ rulings and remanded the case back to the Mekelle City High Court for a complete reconsideration.
The Retrial Process
During the rehearing, the High Court undertook the following procedural steps, as outlined in the August 12 statement:
- Heard arguments from both the prosecution and defense.
- Allowed repeated submissions of specific evidence identified by the Cassation Bench.
- Heard necessary witnesses.
- Rendered an acquittal verdict on August 5, 2026 (per the court’s official timeline).
“Based on an independent and impartial re-investigation, the court rendered the verdict it deemed just,” the Supreme Court stated in its press release.
Why the Acquittal Ignited Controversy
Despite the court’s insistence on procedural integrity, the decision has triggered renewed public outrage and scrutiny from civil society. Critics argue the acquittal exposes deep systemic flaws.
1. Alleged Conflict of Interest
Public discourse has focused heavily on the lineage of defendant Yared Gebreslase Belay, who is widely reported to be the son of Tigray Police Deputy Commissioner Colonel Gebreselassie Belay. Civic groups argue this proximity to power created an inherent conflict of interest that undermined the impartiality of the investigation and trial.
2. Witness Treatment and Intimidation
A surviving eyewitness, identified as Semhal, was reportedly removed from hospital care and detained for eight months without formal charges. Human rights advocates cite this as a clear violation of witness protection protocols and a tactic to silence crucial testimony.
3. Missing Digital Evidence (NISS)
A coalition of five civic organizations previously condemned the acquittal, arguing it followed a failure to execute a specific Cassation Bench order. The order mandated the production of original digital evidence held by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), its verification, and expert testimony regarding its contents. The failure to produce this evidence, they argue, fatally weakened the prosecution’s case during the retrial.
Civil Society Demands: “Killing Her Twice”
The backlash has been organized and vocal. A coalition of nine Tigrayan civic and gender-justice organizations released a scathing statement describing the acquittal as “killing her twice.” The coalition demanded:
- An immediate appeal of the acquittal.
- An investigation into the handling of the NISS digital evidence.
- Accountability for the alleged illegal detention of the eyewitness.
- A guarantee that proximity to authority does not shield perpetrators from justice.
An earlier coalition of five organizations echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the procedural failure regarding the digital forensic evidence.
Supreme Court Pushes Back on “Social Media Pressure”
In its August 12 statement, the Supreme Court did not address the specific evidentiary gaps raised by critics. Instead, it launched a defense of judicial independence, criticizing the mode of public dissent.
“When dissatisfaction arises regarding court rulings, individuals misuse social media to voice unconstructive opinions against these institutions instead of following due legal appeal process and seeking justice,” the court warned.
The statement argued that such criticism places “undue pressure on appellate courts” and insisted that constructive feedback must be channeled through “civilized” legal avenues. The Court reminded the public that the regional judicial hierarchy allows for appeals from Woreda Courts up to the Supreme Court’s Cassation Bench and, where applicable, the Tigray Constitutional Interpretation Commission.
What Happens Next? Legal Avenues Remaining
The Supreme Court affirmed that “anyone dissatisfied with the latest ruling can appeal through the legally prescribed process.” It also pledged to issue a formal media statement once the case reaches its final resolution.
For the prosecution and civil society, the immediate focus is likely on:
- Filing a Cassation Appeal: Challenging the High Court’s acquittal on points of law.
- Constitutional Interpretation: Potentially petitioning the Tigray Constitutional Interpretation Commission regarding the handling of evidence and witness rights.
- Public Pressure: Sustaining advocacy to ensure the appeal is heard transparently.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Victim | Zewdu Haftu (32), killed August 2023 resisting sexual assault. |
| Defendants | Yared Gebreslase Belay & Angesom Hailemaryiam. |
| Previous Verdict | Life imprisonment (High Court & Supreme Court Criminal Bench). |
| Current Verdict | Acquittal (Mekelle High Court, Aug 5, 2026, post-Cassation remand). |
| Core Controversy | Conflict of interest (Defendant’s father = Deputy Police Chief), Witness detention, Missing NISS digital evidence. |
| Court’s Stance | Procedure followed; critics should use legal appeals, not social media. |
| Next Step | Appeal process remains open; Civil society demands immediate action. |
Related Reading
- Addis Standard: Zewdu Haftu acquittal shocks Tigray – Analysis of evidence and judicial independence questions.
- Addis Standard: Women’s Association demands investigation – Initial reaction to the 2023 killing.
- Addis Standard: Civic coalition calls acquittal “killing her twice” – Full text of the 9-organization statement.
- UN Women: Ending Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones – International standards for GBV prosecution.
