Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice International
Geneva Switzerland
Date: May 27, 2025
Judicial and Civic Appeal for Immediate Criminal Investigation and Prosecution of Tewolde Gebretinsae
For Crimes of Human Traficking, Organized Criminal Networks, and Money Laundering Across the Horn of Africa and the United States
To:
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
National Human Traficking Hotline and Anti-Traficking Organizations
Tigrayan-American Human Rights and Civic Organizations
Eritrean Human Rights Advocacy Groups and Independent Media
International Human Rights Organizations
United Nations Ofice on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Ethiopian Federal Authorities
Executive Summary
We, Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice International, a civic human rights groupcommitted to monitoring and exposing crimes against humanity in Tigray and the Horn of Africa,issue this urgent and formal appeal. It is directed at U.S. federal authorities, international anti-human traficking bodies, and relevant human rights institutions to immediately investigate,indict, and prosecute Tewolde Gebretinsae, a transnational criminal ringleader responsible forheinous acts of human traficking, illicit financial operations, and trans-border exploitation of Eritrean and Tigrayan victims.
After three years of continuous and well-documented monitoring, it has come to our attentionthat Tewolde Gebretinsae, a most-wanted human traficking and money laundering suspect, hasillegally entered the United States and is actively attempting to manipulate public opinionthrough media campaigns to mask his crimes and avoid accountability.
We submit this appeal with credible, corroborated evidence and intelligence reports implicating Mr. Tewolde in mass-scale smuggling, refugee traficking, illicit enrichment, and theorchestration of a sophisticated criminal network that has inflicted severe harm across Ethiopia,Sudan, Libya, and now the U.S.
Narrative Title
“No Safe Haven: Tewolde Gebretinsae Must Face Justice – A Call for Accountability in the Heart of the United States”
Criminal Allegations and Human Rights Violations
1. Human Traficking Network Operations
Traficked thousands of Eritrean and Tigrayan refugees from Tigray and northern Ethiopia toSudan, Libya, and Europe via criminal syndicates.Victims, primarily Eritrean refugees and Tigrayans, have been subjected to extortion, sexual violence, forced labor, and disappearances.Coordinated with regional and international smugglers to monetize vulnerable populations forprofit.
2. Money Laundering and Illicit Finance
Operated a complex laundering scheme that spans multiple countries, including wire transfersto the United States.Used shell companies and informal hawala networks to move and conceal illicit proceeds.Actively violated U.S. financial laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act and international AML(Anti-Money Laundering) frameworks.
3. Media Manipulation and Obstruction of Justice
Upon entry into the United States, began using digital platforms to whitewash his identity anddiscredit whistleblowers.Attempts to influence civic institutions and confuse public narratives concerning his criminalpast.
Legal Basis for U.S. Jurisdiction and Action
Extraterritorial Reach of U.S. Anti-Traficking and Money Laundering Laws:U.S. laws enable prosecution of crimes committed outside the country if there is a directconnection to U.S. jurisdiction (e.g., financial transactions, immigration fraud, or presence ofsuspect within the U.S.).
Victim Protection and International Law Obligations:
The U.S. is legally and morally obligated to act under the Traficking Victims Protection Act(TVPA) and international human rights conventions, including the UN Palermo Protocol.
Risk to Public Safety and Rule of Law:
The presence of such a high-profile, dangerous human traficker in the U.S. is a threat tonational security, rule of law, and international human rights cooperation.
Call to Immediate Action
We demand the following steps be taken without delay:
1. Open a Federal Criminal Investigation into Tewolde Gebretinsae
By the DOJ, FBI, ICE, and FinCEN under relevant statutes covering human traficking, financialcrimes, and organized transnational crime.
2. Coordinate with Interpol and Ethiopian Authorities
Request criminal records, financial data, and witness testimonies from afected regions.Determine extradition viability if warranted or initiate U.S.-based prosecution.
3. Freeze Assets and Launch Financial Audits
Through FinCEN and the Department of Treasury, examine any bank accounts, properties, andshell companies linked to Tewolde in the U.S.
4. Provide Protection and Legal Aid to Victims
Especially Eritrean and Tigrayan refugees who were traficked or exploited through his network.
5. Alert Media and Public Institutions
To avoid manipulation or normalization of criminal presence and behavior.
How to Report and Support Legal Action
Concerned institutions, citizens, and victims may take the following actions:
National Human Traficking Hotline:
Call 1-888-373-7888 or visit www.humantrafickinghotline.org
FBI Tips (Anonymous):
Submit at tips.fbi.gov
ICE Tip Line:
Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or submit at www.ice.gov/tipline
Report Financial Crimes:
Visit www.fincen.gov or submit via the FBI IC3 at www.ic3.gov
Conclusion
The presence of Tewolde Gebretinsae on U.S. soil is a grave injustice to the victims he has exploited, tortured, and dehumanized across the Horn of Africa.
We, the Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice International, call upon the conscience and legal responsibility of the United States government, civic organizations, and international partners to uphold the rule of law.
Justice delayed is justice denied.፡The victims of Tewolde’s crimes deserve recognition,restitution, and the assurance that no criminal, however powerful or manipulative, will ever findsafe haven in the land of liberty and law.
Issued by:Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice International (TAHRJI) Geneva Switzerland
Contact Email: tahrji@protonmail.com
Website: [Under construction – NGO in registration process]
Prepared by: Legal Afairs and International Advocacy Division
