Eritrean Government Supporter, Yacob Ghebremedhin, who was given a 22-month sentence on 7 November by a judge at the Isleworth Crown Court, has a criminal history of targeting journalists in the UK with violence.
In the seeming belief that he could behave in Britain as he would in Eritrea, Ghebremedhin attempted to enforce his political beliefs with physical assaults and violent attacks on journalists who tell the truth and are critical of the Eritrean government. However, he has now had to face British justice for his criminal actions, and has received a prison sentence as a consequence.
In 2018, Ghebremedhin attacked a British citizen, former BBC Editor Martin Plaut, because of his reporting on events in Eritrea. Mr Plaut has often revealed the truth about violence and killings by the Eritrean state, which has made him the object of hate and aggression by the regime and its supporters. Ghebremedhin was arrested and charged, brought before Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, found guilty, and fined.
In November 2019, Ghebremedhin and a gang of four other violent Eritrean government supporters, attacked the founder of Assena Satellite TV, Amanuel Eyasu, because of the truths being revealed about Eritrea in the channel’s broadcasts. Once again Ghebremedhin was charged, found guilty, and sentenced at the Isleworth Crown Court to a 16-week suspended jail sentence, a £600 fine, and a 30-day 7:00 p.m. to 7:00a.m curfew. He was also given a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Mr Eyasu for five years.
However, in June 2022 Ghebremedhin phoned Amanuel Eyasu from Eritrea. During this phone call he swore he would kill him and bury him underground, and Mr Eyasu reported the threat to the Police.
On 28 May, 2023, when Ghebremedhin returned to the UK, he was arrested at Heathrow Airport. Since then, he has remained in Wormwood-Scrubs prison. He appeared in court, and pleaded guilty to two offences: Threatening to Kill, and Breaching a Restraining Order. He was found guilty and sentenced to 22 months of imprisonment for threatening to kill and breaching a Restraining Order. Ghebremedhin was also given a 10-year restraining order.
Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE) applauds the actions of the British police and judicial authorities. HRCE also wishes to point out that people who enjoy the benefits of democracy in the U.K, but who attack journalists and activists, and vow to continue such attacks, are also expressing disdain for British laws and should not be allowed to reside in the U.K. Instead, they should be sent back to serve the dictatorial regime that they support, the regime which is known for its cruelty and continues to commit crimes against humanity against its own people.
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
