Nearly two years after her killing, court sentenced two men for life in prison for the murder of Zewdu Haftu

Today the Mekelle Zone court sentenced two men for life in prison for the murder of Zewdu Haftu, a 32 year old woman whose killing in 2023 sparked public outrage and serious concerns about accountability and the rule of law in Tigray.

The Mekelle Zone Court found both Yared Gebresellase and Angesom Hailemariam guilty of the killing of Zewdu Haftu and handed them life sentences.

The ruling brings an end to a case that had been marred by repeated delays, threats against judicial officials, and allegations of interference by figures within Tigray’s security establishment.

Zewdu was murdered in August 20, 2023, when she and her friend Semhal Gebregziabiher were walking in Mekelle, Tigray’s capital when an unregistered vehicle stopped them.

Witnesses said the assailants dragged her by the hair and fatally crushed her with their car after she resisted what appeared to be an attempted sexual assault.

The main witness, Semhal Gebregziabiher, was initially detained by local police for more than eight months in prison without a single charge, prompting criticism from rights groups and raising concerns of witness intimidation.

For nearly two years, Zewdu’s case was plagued by delays, procedural disruptions, and what many saw as deliberate efforts to derail the investigation. It was alleged that the suspects were being shielded due to their political and security ties with senior officials in the government and security apparatus.

In May, families of the suspects created a riot inside the court during a hearing, triggering a judicial strike and forcing a temporary closure of courts across Mekelle citing security concerns.

The interim administration of Tigray later vowed to defend judicial independence and punish those responsible for the violence, though no action has been taken.

Many still say Justice for Zewdu cannot stop at two individuals, demanding that the officials who allegedly interfered in the investigation and those who attempted to cover-up the case must also face consequences.

The case of Zewdu Haftu has exposed the deep flaws in Tigray’s justice system, still struggling with the aftermath of the two-year of war on Tigray.