In a shocking turn of events, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum-seeker convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, was mistakenly released from a British prison on Friday. The incident has triggered an urgent police search and reignited tensions over migration policies in the UK. Kebatu, 38, was sentenced to 12 months in prison last month for multiple offenses, including sexual assault and harassment. His case had previously fueled widespread anti-migrant protests across the country during the summer. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed outrage, calling the release ‘totally unacceptable’ and vowing to ensure Kebatu is apprehended and deported. Essex Police reported that Kebatu was seen boarding a train in Chelmsford after his erroneous release, prompting an immediate manhunt. The Prison Service has launched an investigation, and a prison officer has been suspended pending the inquiry. Aaron Stow, president of the Criminal Justice Workers’ Union, condemned the incident as a ‘profound failure of duty’ and a betrayal of justice. Kebatu’s arrest and trial had previously sparked protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, where he was housed alongside other migrants. The case has highlighted ongoing tensions over the UK’s handling of unauthorized migration, particularly the use of hotels to accommodate asylum-seekers. Critics argue that this policy is costly and exacerbates community tensions, leaving migrants feeling targeted. Kebatu’s lawyer stated that his client wishes to be deported after serving his sentence.