London, UK – October 26, 2025 – An Ethiopian asylum seeker who was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford has been arrested in North London following a three-day nationwide manhunt, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Sunday.
Hadush Kebatu, 31, was due to be transferred to an immigration detention centre for deportation after serving part of a 12-month sentence but was freed in error. Officials have since pledged a full investigation into the incident, which has sparked public outrage and political backlash.
What Happened
According to police, Hadush Kebatu was arrested at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday in the Finsbury Park area of London, after a member of the public reported seeing him at a nearby bus stop. Officers were deployed immediately, and within minutes, they located and confirmed his identity inside the park before taking him into custody for being “unlawfully at large.”
Commander James Conway of the Metropolitan Police, who oversaw the operation, praised the public’s assistance in Kebatu’s capture:
“This has been a diligent and fast-paced investigation led by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police, supported by Essex Police and British Transport Police. Information from the public led officers to Finsbury Park, where they located Mr. Kebatu.”
Kebatu is now back in custody and will be returned to the prison service pending deportation proceedings.
How the Mistake Happened
Kebatu had been serving a 12-month sentence handed down in September for multiple offences involving teenage victims. He was supposed to be transferred to an immigration detention facility for removal from the UK upon release. However, due to what officials have called a “clerical and procedural error,” he was mistakenly freed from HMP Chelmsford on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Shortly after his release, CCTV footage captured Kebatu traveling by train from Chelmsford to Stratford, London, arriving around 1:12 p.m. He was later spotted at a library in Hackney that evening around 6 p.m., carrying a distinctive white bag decorated with avocado prints and wearing his grey prison-issue tracksuit. His last known sighting before the arrest was at 8 p.m. Friday in the same area.
It is understood that Kebatu left prison with a small amount of personal money but was not issued a discharge grant, meaning he likely had limited resources while moving through London.
Official and Political Reactions
The mistaken release has triggered a wave of criticism and political scrutiny.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed Kebatu’s arrest on social media, writing:
“Hadush Kebatu has been arrested and will be deported. Officers have worked quickly and diligently to bring him back into custody. We have ordered an investigation to establish what went wrong. We must make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also vowed that deportation proceedings will take place “as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary David Lammy said a “full investigation” has been launched to determine how the error occurred.
“I have already ordered the immediate strengthening of release checks and a full investigation into what went wrong,” he stated.
A prison officer involved in the release has reportedly been suspended pending the outcome of the internal review.
Public and Community Concerns
The incident has reignited debate over immigration enforcement and public safety, particularly given Kebatu’s criminal history and the government’s rising statistics on prisoner release errors.
According to His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), 262 prisoners were released in error between April 2024 and March 2025 — more than double the previous year’s total of 115, marking a 128% increase.
Local MPs, including Marie Goldman, Liberal Democrat representative for Chelmsford, called for an independent inquiry:
“I am relieved that Hadush Kebatu has been found and is back in custody. But this doesn’t excuse the serious mistakes that let this happen in the first place. The prison service had several chances to fix it and failed. A rapid, national inquiry must happen.”
Background on Hadush Kebatu
Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, entered the UK on June 29, 2025, crossing the English Channel by small boat. Only days later, he was arrested and later convicted of five offences involving two teenage girls, including sexual assault and harassment.
During his sentencing hearing, Kebatu expressed his “firm wish” to be deported after serving his term. His crimes, however, sparked months of anti-immigration protests that began in Epping, where he had been living at the Bell Hotel, before spreading to other towns.
What Happens Next
With Kebatu’s arrest confirmed, authorities have begun the process of returning him to custody and coordinating his deportation to Ethiopia. Both the Home Office and Justice Ministry have promised immediate reviews of release procedures to prevent a repeat of the error.
For now, Kebatu remains under tight security, as the government faces growing pressure to reform prison discharge protocols and restore public confidence in the system.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
The post Hadush Kebatu Arrested After Three-Day Manhunt Following Accidental Prison Release – Deportation Ordered After Serious Security Lapse first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
