Twin Falls: Eritrean Refugee Arrested for Assault, Bond Set At $100 Million
By MICHAEL PATRICK LEAHY10 Aug 2016 from Eritrea wasarrested on felony aggravated battery charges in Twin Falls, Idaho on July 28. Mulugeta Zemu Mana, 32, told the presiding judge at his Twin Falls bond hearing, “The only
from Eritrea wasarrested on felony aggravated battery charges in Twin Falls, Idaho on July 28.
Mulugeta Zemu Mana, 32, told the presiding judge at his Twin Falls bond hearing, “The only guilt I have is the day I decided to come to this country.”
His alleged victim is another refugee, Samuel Gebreegziabher. The arresting officer, Dzevad Mustafic, was also a resettled refugee whose country of origin is Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both disagree with Mana’s claim of innocence.
Mana is accused of attacking Samuel Gebreegziabher a little after 4 p.m. Thursday at a home on Third Avenue West, court documents said. Gebreegziabher told police he went to the home and sat down with several others in the front yard.
“When he sat down he recognized one of the individuals sitting on the bench as Mulugeta Z. Mana,” an officer wrote in a sworn affidavit. “Gebreegziabher told me that he and Mr. Mana came over to the United States as refugees about four years ago. Mr. Gebreegziabher also told me that there is no relationship between him and Mr. Mana, and that he only knows him through the refugee program … (and) has not seen Mr. Mana for over three years” …
Gebreegziabher told police that without provocation, Mana picked up a knife and attempted to stab him, court documents said. Gebreegziabher said he was able to grab Mana’s arm and avoid being stabbed in the stomach, but his right palm was cut in the struggle; Gebreegziabher then ran across the street to Washington Street Pawn where he asked the clerk to call 911 …
Mana told police he came back to Twin Falls from Salt Lake City to kill Gebreegziabher and two others.
The court provided a taxpayer-funded interpreter of Tingrinya, his native language, and common in Eritrea and neighboring Ethiopia. Mana told the judge he “didn’t care” if his bond was set as high as $100 million.
The judge obliged and set bond at $100 million.
Mana has a long criminal record since his arrival in the United States, most likely through the College of Southern Idaho’s Refugee Program. The program is a local refugee resettlement agency affiliated with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants which has brought over a thousand Muslim refugees into this small city of 44,000 since 2011 from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, and the Sudan.
Mana was arrested in Twin Falls on driving under the influence charges in 2012. Some time before 2015, he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. In 2015 he was arrested there as well. Mana came back to Twin Falls with revenge on his mind:
“Mana told me that these individuals, including Mr. Gebreegziabher, have ruined his life and now he is homeless with nothing left to lose,” [police officer] Mustafic wrote in his affidavit.
Mana also told Mustafic, “There are two ways to handling your issues in America; one way is through the courts and if that does not work the other options is to handle it yourself.”
Mana was arrested and booked into county jail Thursday, marking the second time he’d been arrested this week. On Wednesday, Mana was charged with trespassing at the Oasis Stop ‘n Go at 1390 Blue Lakes Boulevard North. In that incident, a clerk at the store said Mana came in Monday and “caused a huge scene.” He was banned from the convenience store Monday, so when he returned Tuesday, police arrested him.
At the time of that arrest, Mana told officers he was waiting for a Greyhound bus so he could leave Twin Falls, but that without money for a ticket, he was going to ask the driver for a free ride.
In court on Friday, Mana spoke clear English at times and appeared to understand English, but he requested the help of an interpreter.
“I don’t wish to say anything, because you’ve already charged me and found me guilty, so I don’t have nothing to say,” Mana said in English.
Alem August 11, 2016
Wow assenna
What a great news and/or article. This is to the point and will bring democracy at home tomorrow.
AHMED SALEH !!! August 12, 2016
Assenna staff
The report seems more political to Donald trump racist rhetoric against middle eastern refugees .
To bring the faith of the person as a Muslim which is not the case sounds misleading accusation .
And to set his bond for 100 million dollars and to portray those Eritrean refugees as Muslims looks
ill advised conviction . Be aware of current sociopolitical developments to associate easy target
nationals with terrorism .
But the defendant Mulugheta Mana seems distraught person to give up life in such manner . If in
deed he became homeless , it is obvious he lost his mind . Most of the time the legal system refer
this kind of cases for psychiatric evaluation . Remember that many Eritrean refugees went through
traumatize experience which effected their mental capability and they are vulnerable for breakdown
unless they have moral and financial support to establish themselves . Because some people are not strong enough to challenge hardships alone in foreign land .
Assenna as Eritrean independent political movement has an obligation to set the record straight
instead we give opportunity any rubbish article which has no merit to post in Eritrean forum .
Derho August 13, 2016
Look the source- Breitbart-typical racist right wing conservative hypocrit website. I dont believe whatever they say. Eritrawi kemuo aygebrin eyu.
Zeray August 12, 2016
Mr MICHAEL PATRICK LEAHY needs to brush up his journalistic skills. . Mr. Mana is not a Muslim and simply because the names are unique Mr. Patrick assumed Mana is a Muslim. Further, even if he is a Muslim why he associated him with the brutal shooting in Orlando is not only Islamophobic but also stupid. He linked two independent stories and tried to create excitement to the sad story. of a confused man. This Eritrean man came to this country and is disoriented and needs help, just like the many white criminals who get help for reasons of insanity. .
Eritreans in Twin Falls need to come together as a community and see if they can find a defense for this helpless man.
Abud August 12, 2016
Never heard in my life a Muslim named Mulugeta Zemu Mana. Shame on you Assenna for posting this piece without proper verification.
Alem August 13, 2016
Mr patrick is obviously the most unqualified journalist I have ever come across. But what should we call assenna staff who post such article. What is the point?
wolde August 13, 2016
Thank you, Assenna staff for letting us share,
To my understanding, this horrible story is reported by American (individual) reporter (presumably) and is posted @ this website. As I read the comments posted, above by Ahmed Salh and Zeray. they seem to be unhappy not only for learning the bad story but also, for being posted on this website and for scapegoating as if Mana is a Muslim. Assenna shouldn’t be obligated to post of our liking only. All you have to be concerned is about its authenticity.
Merhawi August 16, 2016
Assenna, I hope this article is meant as a test of critical thinking skill of readers. First and foremost, the article does not reflect Assenna’s writing culture. Second, the article has no value for the Eritreans who are major readers of this site. When it comes to the article itself. The article’s writing style has political elements and seems to be directed toward locals of which the site serves.
The writer says that Mr. Mana claimed innocence. But later on continues to quote Mr. Mana’s words of expressing his motives of crime. Thus, it lacks consistence.
The writer tries to connect several incidents which I believe is politically motived to categorically ashame (creating feeling of guilt), and spread hate against refugees.
It does not matter to us, nor does it affect us that the place mentioned has seen three major incidents. What is the point. Why would it matter to us that some sick pedophiles went on abusing a child.
It is not of our interest nor does it matter to us, Eritreans, of what happens in U.S Villages or counties or states.
Everything has limits, even freedom has limit. Assenna, this article is not at home, Assenna is not its home. Please let it find its home and send it back to where news like this belong (USA).