Essex Protest Reflects Criticism Over Accidental Release of Convicted Ethiopian Asylum Seeker

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker who arrived in the UK on a small boat, was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex. After being jailed for 12 months, he was mistakenly released early from HMP Chelmsford instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center for deportation, prompting a manhunt as he boarded a train to London. This release sparked widespread criticism of the UK government's handling of immigration, prison services, and public safety, with politicians from Reform UK and the Conservative Party blaming Labour for systemic failures and leadership issues. The incident has intensified protests and public outrage, highlighting perceived dysfunction within British institutions including police, prisons, and immigration enforcement. Commentators described the British state as a "menace to society," emphasizing a broader crisis of governance and institutional breakdown. The case has reignited debates on immigration policy, public safety, and the strain on public services amid rising population pressures and low morale among frontline workers.