UK Police Launch Manhunt for Asylum Seeker Mistakenly Released After Sexual Assault Conviction

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker sentenced to 12 months in a UK prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford ahead of his deportation. Kebatu's release sparked an urgent police manhunt, with multiple forces working together to locate him after he was seen boarding a train in Chelmsford. His case had previously ignited widespread anti-migrant protests across the UK, particularly targeting hotels housing asylum seekers. British officials, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Justice Secretary David Lammy, condemned the accidental release, calling it "totally unacceptable" and launching investigations into the error. A prison officer has been removed from discharging duties as the inquiry continues, and authorities emphasized their commitment to public safety and Kebatu's swift recapture. The incident has intensified tensions surrounding unauthorized migration and the management of asylum seekers in Britain.