Eritrean US Detainee Commits Suicide at Cairo International Airport
By Yasmeen Badawy
An Eritrean man named Zeresenay Ermias Testfatsion, has reportedly killed himself in the holding area at Cairo International Airport. The Eritrean national was denied asylum in the United States after being arrested in Hidalgo, Texas when he tried to illegally enter the United States. He committed suicide while being held by Egyptian authorities awaiting his return to Asmara, Eritrea.
The officials spoke to the media on Saturday on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give information about the accident. He committed suicide by hanging himself in the shower area of the airport’s lavatory. Testfatsion had sought asylum in the U.S. “for fear of returning to his country.” Eritrea is known for its disdain of citizens who get deported from the U.S., viewing them as “traitors” to the country.
The U.S. announced in September that visas to Eritreans would be suspended due to the country’s unwillingness to allow deportees back in the country. Other countries with suspended U.S. visa services due to similar reasons include Libya, Yemen, and Syria.
