Netherlands: Eritrean Human Smuggler Extradited to Netherlands

An accused Eritrean human smuggler has been extradited from the United Arab Emirates to the Netherlands, where he is charged with human smuggling and extortion.  Kidane H., along with Walid. D. (already on trial in the Netherlands), are both charged with imprisoning Eritreans on their way to Europe in camps in Libya, where they were beaten, tortured, and raped. In addition, family members, many of whom were living in the Netherlands, would be extorted for money to release their relatives.

This is another aspect of the migration issue in Europe that is often overlooked.

The article below in NOS is translated from Dutch by Fousesquawk.  

NOS News Today 18:31

Notorious Eritrean human smuggler extradited to the Netherlands

A notorious Eritrean human smuggler was extradited today from the United Arab Emirates to the Netherlands. 41-year-old Kidane H. is suspected by the Public Prosecution Office of atrocities against migrants who were on their way to Europe.

He stands charged in one of the largest human smuggling cases ever in the Netherlands. Last month, the Public Prosecutor’s Office demanded 20 years in prison for the other main suspect in the case, Walid D.

The two men allegedly ran a very violent organization together. Eritreans on the way to Europe were imprisoned by them in camps in Libya. There, the migrants were tortured and raped.

At that time, family members of the victims were called. They had to listen to how the victims were beaten and then pay to have them freed. If they did not do that, their family members were held longer. One of the victims told NOS (News) how traumatic the time in Libya was.

Escape in Ethiopia

According to the prosecution, the main suspects made a lot of money from the beatings and extortion of primarily Eritrean refugees. Since many of the extorted family members of the Eritrean victims are living in the Netherlands, the Public Prosecutor’s Office is prosecuting the men here.

Kidane H. was originally charged with human smuggling in Ethiopia, but he escaped from there in 2021 during a court hearing. Since then, he has been sought internationally. 

On January 1, 2023, H. was arrested in Sudan in an international police operation led by the United Arab Emirates. That country suspected him of money laundering. For that, he has since served a prison sentence, after which he could be extradited.

Life sentence in absentia

The verdict in the case against co-defendant Walid D. is scheduled for the end of January. His lawyers would like to call Kidane H. as a witness. It is not yet clear when that would happen, and if it would affect the verdict. Kidane H. will be tried in a separate trial.

In Ethiopia, he was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia for human smuggling in Africa. In the Netherlands, he will stand trial for other charges. The Public Prosecutor’s Office suspects Kidane H. as well as Walid D. of participating in a criminal organization between 2014 and 2020, in which they engaged in human smuggling, hostage taking, extortion, and violence.

In addition to the 2 main suspects, there are also 5 others standing trial on suspicion of receiving and transferring money. The investigation is being led by the Royal Marechausee (Military Police), who, among others, is working with Italy, the International Criminal Court (ICC), Europol, and Interpol police services.

News Hour produced this video on the human smuggling network.

Source: http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2025/12/netherlands-eritrean-human-smuggler.html