Mergia Negussie Habteyes, Human Rights Abuser Sentenced for Fraud, Virginia 2023

A naturalized US citizen residing in Alexandria, Virginia was sentenced to 37 months in prison for having fraudulently obtained US citizenship.

Mergia Negussie Habteyes, 58, previously pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful procurement of naturalization. Negussie was sentenced by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III of the Eastern District of Virginia on no specific date given.

Negussie was able to come to the United States in 1999 by telling a series of lies to US immigration authorities. He ultimately obtained US citizenship in 2008. He ultimately obtained US citizenship in 2008. At his plea hearing, Negussie specifically admitted that, during his sworn naturalization interview, he 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.

Negussie’s materially false representations in sworn statements to US immigration officials resulted in his procurement of naturalization contrary to law. In addition to sentencing Negussie to a period of incarceration, Negussie’s US citizenship was also revoked.

“Negussie-Habteyes believed he could conceal his past participation in the brutal persecution of political dissidents in order to enjoy the benefits of US citizenship and escape accountability in Ethiopia,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “This case demonstrates the Justice Department’s continued commitment to ensuring that the United States does not become a safe haven for human rights violators.”

The case was investigated by ICE HSI Washington, D.C. and Sterling, Virginia Field Office 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, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation and the use or recruitment of child soldiers.

Negussie participated in the persecution of detainees in Ethiopia from roughly 1977 to 1978 during a period of time known as the “Red Terror.” As part of actions led by a council of military officers in power at the time, known as the “Derg,” Negussie injured and abused detainees on account of their political opinion by beating them with weapons including belts, rods and other objects, causing permanent scarring and injury to some of the detainees.

“Negussie hid his past atrocities as a human rights abuser and lied his way into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Terwilliger. “United States citizenship and the protections and privileges that accompany it is not intended for those who persecute their fellow man. My thanks to the prosecutors and law enforcement agents and officers for their outstanding work on this case.”

Defendant: Mergia Negussie Habteyes

Criminal Charge: Unlawful procurement of naturalization

City and State: Alexandria, Virginia

Outcome: 37 months in prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/ethiopian-human-rights-abuser-sentenced-fraudulently-obtaining-us-citizenship-admitted-series