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Ex-Ethiopian Interrogator Arrested for U.S. Citizenship Fraud
A former Ethiopian interrogator has been arrested and charged with fraud for allegedly lying about his past when he applied for U.S. citizenship.
Mergia Negussie Habteyes, 58, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Alexandria, Virginia, after a grand jury indicted him on a felony charge of fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship.
According to the indictment, Negussie falsely stated that he never persecuted persons because of their political opinion, and he failed to disclose that he had committed a crime or offense for which he was not arrested. In fact, Negussie served as a civilian interrogator in the Higher 3 prison in Ethiopia in the late 1970s, during a period known as the Red Terror.
In that role, Negussie is alleged to have participated in the persecution, through brutality, of individuals imprisoned because of their political opinion. He also falsely stated that he never gave false or misleading information to any U.S. government official while applying for any immigration benefit.
If convicted, Negussie faces up to 10 years in federal prison, automatic revocation of his U.S. citizenship, and likely removal to Ethiopia.
The case is being investigated by HSI with the support of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States.
The indictment reflects the government’s dedication to investigating and prosecuting criminal immigration cases, including those involving alleged human rights violators, said U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Human Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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