“I was surrounded by people, yet everyone was cruel to me”
Nine Days of Abduction
Tsega Belachew
May 2015
The abduction of Tsega was a crime that outraged many and became a topic of public discussion. Tsega spoke to the BBC for the first time about her harrowing experience, a year after the incident. As she recalled those painful days, what stood out was her strength, even amidst the immense suffering.
During her interview with the BBC, Tsega provided a detailed account of her nine days in captivity. She also revealed, for the first time, that her release occurred differently than what the state government had initially reported. Tsega further discussed why she left Ethiopia and shared her future aspirations.
Warning: This story contains descriptions that may be distressing to readers
A Narrow Escape
“I never imagined that I would have to climb out of a window to save my life.”
The only path to freedom was a small window in the dark room where I was imprisoned. My pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears. Even the women who brought me food were unmoved by my tears.
Each evening, I waited for the main abductor and his accomplices to leave. One night, I peered through the small window and saw a woman sitting outside. My heart raced with fear and hope. When she turned away, I quietly slipped through the window, careful not to make noise.
At first, I crept silently to avoid detection. But as panic set in, I began to run, my instincts taking over. Suddenly, the woman noticed my escape and screamed. The men in the house, alerted by the commotion, started chasing me.
I reached the main road, shouting for help. A crowd gathered, and I spotted a passing motorcycle. Desperate, I stopped the rider and tried to get on. Before I could escape, one of my pursuers caught up, forcing me off the bike. I fell to the ground.
Still, I refused to give up. I clung to the legs of those in the crowd, begging for help. I pulled out my work ID and pleaded, “I’m a banker. Strangers kidnapped me. Please, help me!”
Initially, some in the crowd promised to protect me, saying, “No one will touch you; you’re safe with us.” But as my captors caught up, the leader showed his police ID, claiming he had the authority to take me. The crowd turned on me, accusing me of lying. “Aren’t you his friend? Why are you causing trouble?” they asked.
My pleas fell on deaf ears as I was dragged back to the house.
The Abduction
The ordeal began on May 25, 2023, after I left my job at Dashen Bank’s Hawassa branch. As usual, I took a taxi to my rented home. Little did I know the people in the taxi were part of a plot to kidnap me.
As soon as I entered, a man hurried in and sat beside me. The cab was filled with large men. Before I could react, they grabbed my neck and hands, silencing me. I thought it was a robbery and begged them to take my belongings and let me go.
But their intentions became clear as the car sped out of the city toward the countryside. Fear gripped me. I didn’t know where they were taking me or what they planned to do.
After some time, the man they called “Yehuala Mebrat Woldemariam” a former mayor of Hawassa with the rank of master sergeant, appeared. He was the mastermind behind my abduction. Yehuala Mebrat Woldemariam had been harassing me for months, showing up uninvited, calling incessantly, and sending threatening messages.
Life in Captivity
When we reached a rural house, I was ushered inside amidst cheers. Yehuala Mebrat Woldemariam fired a gun into the air as if celebrating. The atmosphere felt like a wedding.
Inside, they locked me in a dark, grim room lit only by a dim lamp. The bed was broken, and the room felt like a grave. I spent the night crying and praying for a miracle.
The next day, my captors informed me that I was now Yehuala Mebrat Woldemariam wife. They demanded I call my family and inform them of their decision.
Failed Escape and Unimaginable Horror
When my escape attempt through the small window failed, Yehuala Mebrat Woldemariam was enraged. “How dare you try to humiliate me? No one escapes me,” he shouted. That night, I endured the unthinkable. He raped me.
Each night, he violated me, showing no remorse or compassion. My cries and pleas were ignored. Everyone in the house supported his actions. They treated me like an object, devoid of humanity.
The Rescue
After days of suffering, I found a forgotten phone in the house. Using it briefly, I sent a single word to my family: “Bursa,” the name of the area where I was held.
My family acted quickly. With help from Ethio Telecom and local authorities, they pinpointed my location. The police mobilized, but Yehuala Mebrat Woldemariam received a tip-off and fled with me before they arrived.
For two more days, we traveled on foot and by motorbike, evading capture. Even during this time, he continued to abuse me.
Finally, after intense public outcry and social media attention, the pressure on him grew. Elders intervened, and he was forced to release me.
Aftermath and Justice
On my return, I was taken to a hospital and later to a police station. Yehuala Mebrat was arrested five days after my release. He was initially sentenced to 16 years in prison, but the sentence was mysteriously reduced to 10 years on appeal.
The psychological scars of those nine days remain with me. Rape is not just a physical act; it is a lifelong wound. Despite therapy, I still struggle with trauma, but I am determined to turn my pain into strength.
Moving Forward
I left Ethiopia to seek safety and began working with Amnesty International as part of a human rights defenders program. Now, I advocate for women’s rights, determined to close the legal gaps that allowed my abduction to happen.
What broke me has made me stronger. I will continue to fight for justice, not only for myself but for all women who have suffered similar abuse.
