By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Addis Ababa (Dawan) — Ethiopia’s federal police on Friday said two men accused of leading a human trafficking network had been arrested in Dubai for allegedly transporting at least 105 Ethiopian citizens to the United Arab Emirates through deception.
The network is accused of collecting more than 188 million Ethiopian birr, equivalent to approximately $1.16 million, from the victims.
The suspects, identified as Dawood Teferi and Desta Tegegn, were arrested during a joint operation conducted by Ethiopia’s federal police and Dubai police. They were subsequently extradited to Ethiopia, where investigations and legal proceedings will continue.
According to investigators, the network had targeted young Ethiopians since 2023, promising them employment opportunities with companies operating in the UAE.
Authorities said the suspects did not have a legal licence to recruit or send workers abroad.
Each victim was allegedly charged between 320,000 and 600,000 birr, approximately $2,000 to $3,750, for tourist visas that were falsely presented as a pathway to formal employment.
After arriving in Dubai, the victims were allegedly confined in facilities controlled by the network, deprived of their freedom and forced to work.
They were also required to pay additional fees described as commissions or service charges.
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When their two-month tourist visas expired, the network allegedly demanded 1,200 UAE dirhams ($327) from each victim, falsely claiming that the payment would secure a two-year residence permit.
Those who refused to pay were allegedly threatened with deportation.
Women among the trafficked victims were reportedly subjected to sexual violence and physical abuse while being held in overcrowded rooms alongside male victims.
The allegations remain under investigation, and the suspects are yet to be prosecuted.
Security authorities have also arrested Bzuayehu Awgichew and Rahmet Abebe, who are accused of recruiting victims inside Ethiopia and facilitating the collection of illegal payments through locally opened bank accounts.
The investigation is continuing, with authorities receiving remote testimony from some victims who remain in Dubai.
Preliminary findings also suggest that agencies operating under the guise of legal authorisation may have collaborated with the trafficking network.