Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA72
2008-02-14 07:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
REPORTED ARRESTS OF IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO7791 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0072 0450738 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 140738Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9443 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1600 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1778 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000072
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON PINR ER
SUBJECT: REPORTED ARRESTS OF IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS FOR
CORRUPTION
REF: 07 ASMARA 936
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).
(C) Eritrean National Security (ANS) reportedly arrested four
or five immigration officials in charge of issuing exit visas
on, or before, February 13. One arrested official, by the
name of Ghile, apparently was responsible for making the
final decision on the eligibility of the applicants.
According to Post sources, Ghile regularly accepted bribes of
20,000 nakfa ($1,333) in exchange for issuing illegal exit
visas, a fact commonly known in Asmara. Post sources state
that ANS officials have been suspicious of immigration
officials for some time, a fact which may account for the
addition of multiple ANS document checkpoints at the airport
in recent months.
MCMULLEN