Ethiopian man suspected of torture ordered deported from U.S.
The Associated Press - ATLANTA
An Ethiopian immigrant accused of torturing and killing dissidents in a military dictatorship in his native country during the 1970s has been ordered deported from the United States, but will remain here while he appeals the decision, the government said Friday.
Kelbessa Negewo, 54, was arrested in January in an Atlanta suburb and has remained in federal custody since then.
Following a hearing this week, an immigration judge on Tuesday ordered Negewo deported to Ethiopia. However, because he is appealing the decision, the deportation is on hold until the matter is resolved, said Sue Brown, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Negewo faces life in prison in his former homeland, where in 2002 he was convicted in absentia of human rights violations including torture and 13 killings. He was also the target of a civil case in the early 1990s.
Negewo fled to the United States in 1988 and eventually became a U.S. citizen. He renounced his citizenship last October after the government moved to strip him of it, and that opened the door for the arrest and deportation proceedings.
The U.S. government has said no federal charges are planned against him.
Officials allege that during the 1970s, Negewo was part of a military dictatorship that ruled Ethiopia. They say that in his role as chairman of a special government unit, he was responsible for having numerous civilians _ mostly students _ incarcerated, tortured and executed by firing squad.
Homeland security officials say Negewo lied about his human rights violations to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Negewo's wife told The Associated Press following her husband's arrest in January that she doesn't believe he killed anyone.
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Anybody who has blood in his hand his final fate will be like Kelebessa. We all know Meles has the blood of many Ethiopians in his hand. It is not far he will be like Kelebessa.Until then you can support him for killing innocents.
This is the good thing I have heard or see from the US govt concerning Ethiopia the past many years. US must not be the safe heaven to criminals. Europe and other countries must follow the US action. When they took their leadership position, the newly elected Ethiopian opposition leaders will push hard to get DIABLOS Mengistu from Zimbabwe. I believe because of the US actions, the current Ethiopian criminal leaders are now in shock. Their plan after leaving power by force to consume the stolen millions of dollars in abroad is in big trouble. They and their children and families will never escape from their crime against Ethiopia. Little, bold, ugly, evil and incomplete human (Meles), what are going to do? Now the west is becoming against your plan after crime. We argue the US govt policy to adopt by Un in order to prevent criminal leaders in the world especially in Africa as Africa is suffering the worst at this moment.
