In a shocking breach of security protocols, a convicted migrant scheduled for deportation was mistakenly released from police custody due to what authorities are calling a "catastrophic administrative failure."
Hadush Kebatu, who had exhausted all legal avenues to remain in the UK, walked free after Essex Police incorrectly processed his case, despite clear instructions from the Home Office to transfer him to immigration officials.
The Chain of Failure
The alarming sequence of events unfolded when:
- Kebatu was arrested by Essex Police on separate matters while his deportation was pending
- The Home Office issued explicit directions to keep him in custody for transfer to immigration enforcement
- Despite these instructions, police authorities processed his release in what's being described as a "systematic breakdown"
Public Safety Concerns
This incident has raised serious questions about communication between police forces and immigration authorities. The error left a convicted criminal, who should have been removed from the country, free to roam the streets while officials scrambled to locate him.
A police spokesperson admitted: "We are urgently reviewing our procedures to prevent such dangerous oversights from occurring again. Public safety remains our utmost priority."
Broader Implications
This case highlights growing concerns about the UK's immigration enforcement mechanisms and the potential risks posed by administrative errors within the justice system. The Home Office has launched an immediate investigation into how such a fundamental mistake could occur.
As authorities continue their search for Kebatu, questions remain about how many similar cases might have slipped through the cracks and what measures will be implemented to ensure this doesn't happen again.
