Toronto – One of the individuals accused of kidnapping and murdering Mahlet Teklay has been sentenced to death. The convicted man, Awot Negasi, received the harshest penalty, while his co-defendant, Nahom Fitsum, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mekelle Central Court.
Mahlet, a 16-year-old girl, was abducted in March while heading to a language class in Adwa. She remained missing for several days before her tragic death.
Tesfaye Amare, head of the Adwa City police, had earlier told BBC Tigrigna Service that the suspects admitted to killing Mahlet and burying her. Her remains were eventually located three months later, after the suspects directed authorities to her burial site.
Before the murder, the suspects had been in contact with Mahlet’s father, repeatedly demanding a ransom of three million birr. This case led to widespread outrage across the Tigray region earlier this year.
The prosecutor revealed in court that Mahlet had been strangled to death, describing the circumstances of her killing as deeply disturbing. Reports also indicate that Awot called Mahlet’s father three days after her burial, once again demanding three million birr, falsely claiming that the girl would be returned.
Although the prosecutor had requested the death penalty for Nahom Fitsum, arguing his role in colluding with Awot, the court ultimately sentenced Nahom to life imprisonment.
Mahlet’s father, Teklay Girmay, expressed that he felt the court’s decision was fair and appropriate, while also calling for similar accountability for other crimes in the region.
Since the end of the war in Tigray, reports of violent crimes, including kidnapping, rape, and murder, have continued to surface. The local population has responded with protests and rallies in various cities, urging the government to take stronger action to ensure the safety and security of women in the region.
