LONDON — Arrest of Released Sex Offender Raises Concerns

London police announced on Sunday that a convicted sex offender, who was also an asylum seeker, has been arrested after being mistakenly released from prison, an incident that has caused significant embarrassment for the government.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Haddush Gaberslassie Kebatou, an Ethiopian national, was apprehended in the Finsbury Park area of north London. He is set to be returned to prison.

Kebatou was already making headlines prior to this error, as his arrest for sexually assaulting a teenage girl had prompted a series of angry anti-immigration protests in London and other cities.

Authorities were alerted on Friday that Kebatou, aged 38, had been released in error from Chelmsford prison, with reports indicating he was seen boarding a train to London. It seems he was mistakenly categorized as a prisoner eligible for release, rather than being transferred to an immigration detention facility.

His previous sentence of 12 months, handed down in September, included multiple charges, notably the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl shortly after his arrival in the UK by boat.

The protests against him were substantial, particularly outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, where he had been staying with other recent arrivals. This led to demonstrations targeting various hotels housing migrants across the UK, sometimes involving far-right groups and resulting in chaos.

Counter-protests were organized by groups like Stand Up to Racism.

In the wake of the incident, the Bureau of Prisons has initiated an investigation, leading to the dismissal of the prison officer involved.

Government officials have labeled the incident a “terrible failure.” The Justice Department is now looking into the matter to uncover how this happened and who is accountable.

“This man was in prison for serious sexual offences,” commented Health Secretary Wes Street on Sky News. “He shouldn’t have been in this country. In fact, he should have been scheduled for deportation. The notion that he was allowed to roam freely is incredibly serious. It’s a major failure.”

The issue of illegal immigration, particularly concerning the significant number of migrants crossing the English Channel to reach the UK, has become a critical topic in British politics. Additionally, the government’s use of hotels to house migrants awaiting refugee status decisions has faced growing criticism.