Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
URGENT HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL FOR THE IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL
RELEASE OF TEGADALAY ZENABU HAGOS
To:
President of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration, Lt. General Tadesse Worede
Tigrayan Human Rights Organizations and Civic Advocacy Groups
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
International Human Rights Organizations (including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch)
Tigrayan Diaspora Communities and Digital Media Activists
Tigray-based and Diaspora Media Outlets (Tigray TV, Dimtsi Weyane, BBC, Al Jazeera, etc.)
United Nations Human Rights Council
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Subject: Strong Condemnation and Urgent Call for the Immediate Release of Tegadalay Zenabu Hagos – A Hero, Not a Criminal
We, Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice International, are issuing this urgent
appeal demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Tegadalay Zenabu Hagos, a respected freedom fighter who has been illegally detained without charge or trial by members of the so-called “Above the Core army’s Group” affiliated with elements of the TPLF’s military
remnants.
Tegadalay Zenabu Hagos—a veteran of the Tigrayan armed struggle—was arrested in Mekelle and has been held incommunicado for over a week in an underground detention facility. He has neither been brought before a court of law nor informed of formal charges.
This is a clear violation of his constitutional and international human rights.
We strongly condemn this politically motivated detention, which appears to be based on fabricated accusations and intimidation tactics meant to silence dissent and punish principled voices of truth. Zenabu Hagos is being interrogated over baseless allegations, including:
Having contact with Oromia President
Shimelis Abdisa and other political figures
Allegedly supporting Tigrayan “Free Lands” and Peacekeeping Forces;
Assisting Getachew Reda’s escape;
Spying on TPLF officials and connections to the Southern Zone;
Being linked to the seizure of laptops and logistical support to opposition figures.
These questions are unfounded and politically driven, aimed at criminalizing legitimate political affiliations, loyalty to the people of Tigray, and commitment to truth and justice. Zenabu Hagos has proudly and boldly responded, “If helping my people and standing for justice is a crime, I am willing to go to prison instead of receiving a hero’s reward.”
This case is not merely an isolated incident. It represents a dangerous pattern of internal
political repression that threatens to derail the fragile peace and democratic aspirations of
post-war Tigray. It sends a chilling message to veterans, activists, and young reformers who dream of a free, just, and inclusive Tigray.
Our Demands:
- Immediate and unconditional release of Tegadalay Zenabu Hagos from unlawful detention;
- An independent investigation into his arrest and the legality of underground detention centers;
- Accountability for those orchestrating politically motivated detentions and intimidation campaigns;
- Institutional safeguards to protect the rights of all Tigrayans, particularly veterans and civil society actors, from arbitrary detention and harassment.
To President Tadesse Worede and the Tigray Interim Government:
We call upon you to intervene immediately. Your silence will be interpreted as complicity. A just government must uphold the rule of law, defend heroes—not imprison them—and lead the region into a new era of freedom, justice, and accountability.
Tegadalay Zenabu Hagos represents the true spirit of Tigrayan resistance and resilience. He fought for the dignity of our people. He should be celebrated—not criminalized
We appeal to:
International human rights watchdogs to monitor this case closely;
Global and Tigrayan media to amplify this injustice;
Tigrayan digital activists and diaspora communities to raise global awareness and pressure the Interim Administration.
Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice International
Standing for Justice, Human Rights, and Accountability in Tigray and Beyon
