May 22, 2025
Tigray’s judicial system has been plunged into crisis following a violent courtroom incident, the suspension of court operations, and widespread alarm from legal associations. On May 20, the Office of the President of the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray issued a formal statement confirming the closure of all courts in Mekelle city and its surrounding areas due to “grave security threats” stemming from an incident that took place on Friday, May 16, at the Central Court of Mekelle.
The incident occurred during the trial of suspects charged in the killing of Zewdu Haftu, a case that has remained under intense public scrutiny since her death two years ago. The disturbance broke out as the prosecutor was preparing to recommend penalties, involving Yared Gebreselassie — son of former Deputy Police Commissioner Gebreselassie Belay — and Angesom Hailemariam, the commissioner’s brother-in-law and driver. Both men, who had been found guilty of the killing, were at the center of the courtroom chaos. Eyewitnesses reported that Yared verbally assaulted judges with threats, allegedly shouting profanities. His mother, who was present at the court, reportedly told the judges, “You will be destroyed soon.” Following the disruption, the court halted its operations on May 19. By May 20, the broader judiciary in Mekelle announced full suspension of services until safety measures are reestablished.
President Getachew Reda’s administration had previously removed Gebreselassie from his police post, only for him to be appointed as head of Army 22 by army leadership that defied Getachew Reda’s presidency. Army 22 has been recently accused of interfering with the judicial process by facilitating the release of a suspect against the will of the Tigray Police Commission. The suspect, Berhane Gebregergis, had been charged with serious crimes including spionage, obstruction of national sovereignty, and incitement of unrest. According to information reviewed by UMD Media, on May 8 the Tigray Police Commission submitted a formal request to the court for a search warrant of Berhane’s residence, citing credible evidence that items tied to the ongoing investigation were being concealed. Despite this, sources allege that Army 22 intervened to secure Berhane’s release, bypassing legal procedures and undermining police authority.
The May 20 presidential statement characterized the court incident as a direct threat to the rule of law and judicial independence. It noted that the events constitute a systemic crisis not just of courtroom security but of institutional legitimacy, adding that the use of coercive power against judges represents a dangerous precedent for Tigray’s governance.
Legal groups have echoed this alarm. On May 17, UMD Media reported the Tigray Judges Association’s call for judicial independence and protection following the courtroom threats. The Tigray Public Prosecutors Association, in a May 18 statement, warned that fear among legal professionals is growing and that such conditions threaten to erode the state’s ability to uphold the law.
On May 20, the Tigray Lawyers Association also issued similar condemnation, stating that no meaningful legal reform or accountability can occur in an environment where intimidation of courts and manipulation of legal outcomes are tolerated. They criticized attempts to politicize or militarize the legal process and called on all state and non-state actors to respect the neutrality and autonomy of the judiciary.
A lawyer who spoke to UMD Media on condition of anonymity said the courage demonstrated by judges and prosecutors in pursuing justice in the Zewdu Haftu case was unprecedented. He emphasized that despite threats and disruptions, these legal professionals had remained committed to upholding the rule of law. The lawyer also noted that police detectives involved in the investigation had continued their work despite intense pressure, including the reported dismissal of officers by Gebreselassie due to their role in the case. Gebreselassie, who was removed from his position by President Getachew Reda allegedly due to his interventions in this and other similar cases, was later reassigned by opposing military leadership to command Army 22.
The cumulative response from judges, prosecutors, and lawyers signals an escalating legal crisis with broad implications for Tigray’s stability and post-conflict recovery. The interim government vowed to take all necessary steps to restore judicial order and bring perpetrators of court interference to justice.
