Kaleb Seyum

It was early in the morning and Kaleb had just passed a military physical fitness test every German citizen was obliged to undergo at the age of 18.

He jumped out of the building and on to his bike heading towards his favorite lake to go for a swim.

He used to be one of the best players in his local handball club enjoying sports like any other young Eritrean growing up in the diaspora. Kaleb was born in Eritrea and moved to the West in the early 80’s together with his family.

Kaleb was not interested in arts nor did he know who Van Gogh, Salvador Dali or Leonardo da Vinci was until the day it happened. He only had sports on his mind.

As he reached the lake he dove head first into the water hitting his head against a large rock. Kaleb was knocked unconscious immediately and airlifted by an emergency medical helicopter to a nearby Sports Injury Clinic. He had to be put into medically induced coma after suffering life threatening injuries.

The boy remained in coma for two weeks until doctors woke him up, which was a relief to his friends and family. He was diagnosed paralyzed from neck down. The first weeks and months Kaleb could not understand what had happened to him and he thought that he will regain his ability to move arms and legs in no time.

At this age it was very difficult for him to go through rehab sessions depending on others to do basic things such as watching tv, dressing, eating and washing.

The first time he learned about art was through music and painting therapies, suggested by experts to strengthen and stimulate his muscles and nerves. He says that therapists got him interested in painting with the mouth.

For years Kaleb practiced writing and painting with a pen giving him the ability to hold a brush steady in his mouth. He turned his accident into something positive and wants to carry a message of hope through his art.

He says, “My art is a visual expression of my feelings”.

Kaleb is slowly but surely turning towards a celebrated artist and recently had his first exhibition and vernissage on mouth art in Munich.

The 32 year-old artist says that his example shows that people with disability can lead normal lives and decide their own destiny.

“I want to contribute something to this world, so I am pushing myself to be creative in what I am doing”

His future plan is to study art at the University in Munich to broaden his skills in painting. The artist can be reached at moutharts@googlemail.com.

[Show as slideshow]

Eritreans

Amanuel Biedemariam

There are not enough words to describe what transpired on September 25, 2011 in New York City before, during and after the gathering with His Excellency President Isaias Afwerki.

The festive-charged environment was indescribable and the event was a smashing success. The collection of Eritreans gathered covered the gamete. They came in droves from Florida after driving eighteen hours. Minnesota drove over 21 hours. Chicago 14. Grand Rapids Michigan drove over ten hours. From Edmonton Canada people drove for two days and Toronto drove for over ten hours. People drove from everywhere. Those that flew in from the West Coast and Europe came to Washington DC and boarded onto buses to New York with those that gathered from everywhere.

It will be disingenuous to discount logistical problems people encountered on the way to New York but once they were loaded, and ready everyone was happy enjoying the ride with patriotic music playing, dancing and laughing. We started boarding about 3am and arrived in New York about 9 am, which is prompt for a trip from DC to New York. When we arrived, we were greeted by thick lines of crowd that covered blocks and blocks in a major city creating a traffic nightmare for the city. It was serene to be received by crowds of Eritreans adorned with colorful Eritrean flags and dressed in traditional outfits that beautified the glorious city of New York. They accorded New York grace and dignity unmatched by any. They were civil and smart about the meaning and magnitude of the event. The weather was calm and cloudy as we arrived.

We hurried to get out of the busses to join the crowd. The people I came with all joined the long lines and I found my station in the media section. From that point on, I was oblivious to what was taking place outside. Our cell phones and computers were-not allowed in for security reasons so we did not have a way to communicate with those that formed lines to get in. My focus was inside and the assigned job.

The event had so many moving parts that were readily visible. The stage was fitting and graceful. The stage setters did a good job setting a presidential setting worthy of the moment. The mood was festive. The security was tight making it difficult to move once you are inside because movements were restricted.

When the president arrived, the hall was raucous and after a brief exchange of greetings, the President along with his delegates got seated on the front raw with the audience as the stage leaders announced the details of the program. They started the program with a moment of silence to remember our Martyrs graced by a beautiful sax by Tesfamariam. Soon thereafter, the EriAm Sisters sung our national anthem adding a spice to a memorable event. After that, the president and the delegates were lead to the stage amidst cheers of welcome that emanated from deep feelings of happiness and expression of love of someone deeply missed and loved.

President Isaias’ presence was grand. He occupied the seat with such a grace and comfort. It was incredible moment for Eritreans to witness their beloved hero seated in front of them. The President was beaming with a glow of happiness that filled the hall. There are thousands of pictures that showed the grandiosity and beauty of the moment and the presence. However, there are no pictures that can describe the feelings and the happy expressions in the hall. I was seated close enough where I can see the action closer than many. However, the whole event appeared like a dream and passed way quicker especially relative to the time that passed to prepare and travel to the event.

This event was by far the most significant event Eritreans held even more than the February 22 demonstration of 2010 thus far. The messages Eritreans passed were- embedded on every step. The messages were all loud and clear for all to see and bare witness to. It was saying loudly that Eritrea is in the house in New York City hitting New York like a lightning strike. The event showed how patient and disciplined Eritreans are. It showed the resilience of Eritreans. It showed that Eritreans speak with one voice, the same tone everywhere, and all the time.

When I first approached the crowd; as I was greeting people and finding my way, I bumped into a Caucasian approximately six feet two in height. I said excuse me and I realized the man had communication equipments in his hand. Not sure what he was doing I asked him what his intentions were and he replied he is a reporter from Expressen. Expressen…? I asked. He said it is a Swedish Newspaper. I asked what he was doing and he replied I came to film this event. And I asked him what his impression was? He said, I am surprised…I thought I was going to see more on this side not the other. He was saying it in a surprised and, disappointed tone. Evidently, he came with a predetermined idea to film President Isaias embarrassed by thousands of his enemies. Instead, he learned the truth about Eritrea and learned first hand that Eritreans are one with the President.

That is one message that reverberated sending shockwaves everywhere our enemies are. That is the message Eritreans wanted to send loud and clear to the world, the State Department and, the stooge-agents of the criminal junta in Ethiopia that were parading as Eritreans. It is a message of solidarity. It is an answer to those who wanted to weaken Eritrea systematically by targeting specific strengths. They delivered the message in New York City where Ambassador Rice can see clearly that President Isaias Afwerki and Yemane Ghebreab are the people. There is no distinction and room to extricate any Eritrean from another for whatever reason. Eritreans are one with one-voice and, that is the message those who traveled millions of miles-collectively wanted to send and sent it loudly.

There was not a whole lot of new information that His Excellency divulged. One of the first things that he said was that; ten years may have elapsed since I last saw you but you were never far away from me. That is expression of affection. And the feeling was mutual. Because nearly every question that people asked was accompanied by expressions of support and praises for his bravery. However, there were a lot of memorable statements that he made.

He referred to those who went to Addis as nefseher meaning they are none but dead souls walking. He acknowledged that there is exploration for oil. He said that there is not much any one can do to us if we are united be it one or four powers. He said that all the lies the Weyane clique spewed over the years are exposed and that the moment is opportune for us to reengage at the UN. However, he said that the highlight of his trip was his meeting with his people.

The audience asked many penetrating questions and the answers were satisfying. One young woman said that all the pertinent issues in Eritrea are addressed adequately and asked if the President considered human rights. He answered by saying that he fought for human rights for over forty years. The primary focus in Eritrea is and remains to ensure that the basic needs of Eritreans are met. That is the number one focus. He emphasized that Eritrea does not tolerate human right abuse at the government level and we have mechanisms in place to prevent abuse by the private sector as well.

He also said that a great deal of effort is exerted and, steps are in place to get the Diaspora involved in development efforts of the nation. Eritrea is shifting into a new gear in regards to development effort and if we are going to succeed in achieving the outlined objectives for 2012-2013, we need to make sure the concerns of Diaspora Eritreans are addressed. Regarding the border issues, he said, it would be demarcated in due course. Moreover, he stressed that we need to focus on what we are doing.

It was incredible to witness the harmony, affection and support the public showed President Isaias. The people did not come there to find out any thing new. They did not travel to demand anything from the President. They just showed up to show support.

After the President left the Manhattan Center, I briefly spoke to Dr. Berhe Habtegiorgis and asked him what his observations revealed. His reply captured the moment precisely. I still remember his focus, enthusiasm and the exuberant tinkle in his eyes as he said, “The world can not understand or believe what just transpired because it is in complete contradiction to what is taking place all around the globe!”

I was dead tired barely able to open my eyes before the President arrived but as as soon as he arrived, I was wide-awake and able to communicate on Facebook the entire event. When I left the building, I was excited to reconnect with my wife and friends that traveled with me for the event and eager to talk about what transpired and to discuss issues. And as soon as I came out and asked, did you have fun…? I saw this dazed gaze of disappointment filled with teary-eyes and heard; we didn’t get in. I melted. “You didn’t see the President”; I shouted! “No. We did not see him. We didn’t even see him when he left because we were expecting him to come on that side and he came out on the back”. Very few people saw him. Who else did not get in? I found out nearly all the people that came with me did not get in along with over 2000 people. President Isaias expressed his disappointment by saying “I thought the City of New York was a big city.”

We were all tired beyond expression; hungry and sleepy but captured by the moment and surprised by the fact that thousands could not get in. We knew there were people that were not able to get in but we did not know the size. However, as I spoke with those that did not get in, my feelings started to change dramatically.

The sadness that I felt turned into pride. I begun to understand the resolve and satisfaction that these people felt. My friend Haile said, “Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to have been inside and enjoy the moment, but the purpose of my journey was to give support to my President and show solidarity and I have accomplished that regardless where I was and, I am satisfied.” Every story that I heard was more uplifting than the other. A father with his four grown up kids came from California paying thousands and said that he was proud to have been there even if he was not able to get in. A group from Grand Rapids Michigan is very popular because they kept the mood very uplifted by singing and saying “Masse” a form of rap entertaining the crowd. A family that came from Edmonton Canada after driving two days, a family that drove from Florida and unable to get in expressed the same feeling of satisfaction. Those that did not get in were there without rest, food and water for over six hours. They stood faithfully with discipline wowing NYPD in fact comforting the police in some instances.

The organizers were faced with logistical nightmares considering the short notice, the security considerations, the uncertainties and the distance they had to deal with. One has to think of the list of chores and details that they needed to sift through. The coordinating efforts are nightmarish to think about. But it came through beautifully and there were many reasons why it was a success.

Firstly, it is because Eritreans are very organized. Eritreans can mobilize faster and in greater numbers for their nation any time and anywhere. That is due to years of experience and organizational structures that were formed during days of the struggle for liberation. In February of 2010 Eritreans successfully organized large demonstrations to oppose the illegal sanction levied by the US against Eritrea. And ironically that major event paved the way for this presidential gathering that brought people from everywhere.

Secondly, it is because Eritrea takes a center stage in the life of every Eritrean in ways I have never seen anywhere. In fact it is mind boggling considering the fact that Eritreans sing, dance, and laugh, cry, wed and talk Eritrea every single second. Eritreans think and talk Eritrea. Eritreans live for Eritrea. Eritreans are aware and educated about their country. They are cognizant of all the threats, the challenges and opportunities. And they know how to fight and make use of the opportunities presented to them. This is one occasion that Eritreans seized like there is no tomorrow.

Conclusion

There are moments that change lives and take place once in a while. This occasion was one of those moments. There were many heads of states that gathered in New York for the same UN conference President Isaias attended. And I am certain none were received with the passion and enthusiasm. No one was accorded the kind of welcome President Isaias received.

None of the people that came to see the President came to demand or complain; they came to support and show him solidarity. It has been a while now since there has been a concerted effort made to demonize President Isaias and give inaccurate picture of what Eritrea and Eritreans are. There have been many hysterical noises made by handful opportunists. It was exposed on Sunday 25 September that they truly are the walking dead (nefseher) as the President called them.

Eritreans came with a purpose united in a vision in a surreal environment making indescribable spiritual connection with each other and their president. He embraced the moment and gracefully delivered unscripted speech from the heart in a presidential setting confidently. The journey was tough and long but joyous and historic. The sacrifices made were all worth it because, in the process and in the moment, we affirmed to each other that we are all Eritreans in a mission to express that we are one “Eritrean in New York” in support of our nation and President!

Indeed “Hade hzbi, Hade libi”!

Awetnayu@hotmail.com

Tedros Teclebrhan

Eritrean Comedian Tedros Teclebrhan posted a video on youtube reaching to date over 9 Million hits. Meanwhile the media has caught up to his youtube success story. The German Spiegel has covered his story with a short video but the most revealing story about his popularity was written by Michael Dimitrov from cafebabel.com back in June.

“Street integration test: German Youtube hit Tedros Teclebrhan”

He hasn’t hit his wife for more than two months now, has never heard of the fall of a certain wall and thinks the chancellor before ‘Angelo Merte’ was Hitler… Within two weeks, the video of the man with the blond mustache became a German web hit. Over 5.5 million people have already clicked on it the promotional video, thinking the actor was a real migrant and thus not noticing the mirror being held up to German integration policy

28-year-old Tedros Teclebrhan came to Germany with his mother and two older brothers when he was just seven months old. The family fled from the civil war in the state of Eritrea, North Africa, to their new home in Baden-Wuerttemberg. All were given asylum and thus the chance to start a new life in Germany. ‘I love Germany; my family and friends are here. I have a German passport,’ says Tedros in perfect German in an interview with ihned.cz, the online edition of the Czech daily newspaper Hospodarske Noviny.

‘But I do not feel like a German citizen here because the first thing many people see is not a German man, but a suspicious man with dark skin.’ That is exactly what happened to Tedros in early May. He was seemingly stopped by a television crew on the street led by reporter Adrian Draschoff before willingly answering questions for a survey that was being asked of all new immigrants from non-EU countries, as well as foreign nationals who want to become naturalised. This so-called integration test can allegedly verify whether a person is integrated well enough

Citizenship? Then I won’t pass that test!

Immediately after the first question, it was obvious that the dark-skinned Tarzan, who was wearing a white vest and talking on his smart phone, did not have the faintest idea about the realities of his country. The survey for the integration test (‘Umfrage zum Integrationstest’) video, subtitled outtakes (‘was nicht gesendet wurde’), became an immediate hit on Youtube. After five days it had exceeded the one million mark; after two weeks, the number of viewers had risen to three and a half million.

For some, the survey is just another sad testament to the failed integration of immigrants in Germany. For others it is a satirical critique, holding a mirror to a xenophobic German society. Commentors have questioned if the video is actually authentic, or whether migrants to Germany really know so little about their new home. So what’s the truth?

You can also read ‘Citizenship exams: spotlight western Europe’ on cafebabel.com

Tedros Teclebrhan, now without his trademark blond mustache, smiles shyly. He had not expected his sketch to be such a great success. The young actor, who speaks fluent Swabian and ‘Turkish-German’, just wanted to have some fun with the video. ‘I was once in a similar situation myself,’ he adds. ‘I wanted to impress others but it went wrong. Straight after I thought it would have been better if I had stayed quiet. But in retrospect, we laugh about it. I come from a culture where you laugh a lot, it’s like therapy.’

Actor, not politican

Tedros can hardly believe the fact that many people have taken his video deadly seriously and discussed it so passionately. ‘I have quite deliberately demonstrated the absurdity of the answers to the questions. It is completely OTT. Everyone knows that Germany has a female chancellor. No-one would ever say that he beats his wife at home in public.’ Having said that, Teclebrhan does think there are many badly-educated people in Germany who have major problems with similar questions, including migrants as well as Germans, he points out.

Tedros himself was not that far from becoming the classic example of failed integration. ‘School was quite a turbulent time. I changed schools often. But eventually I came to, got my secondary school education and completed my training in Stuttgart.’ Tedros has already starred in several television films. His greatest achievements includes a starring role in the world-famous musical Hairspray between 2009 and 2010, which was adapted from Broadway and became a blockbuster in Cologne. So how would Tedros criticise the passionate debate among high-level politicians who argue about how many immigrants there are in Germany who ‘refuse to integrate’? Or whether multiculturalism has actually failed, as the chancellor herself stated in October 2010? Or whether or not islam is now part of Germany? ‘I’m an actor, not a politician,’ states Tedros. In any case, there is a message for everyone in his sketch. ‘I do think that a big problem in this society is the lack of tolerance — on both sides,’ he emphasises.

Source: cafebabel.com

Saudi police smashed their way into an apartment to find a dead Eritrean man dangling from the ceiling fan and unravel the mystery of bad smell that had irked neighbours, a newspaper said on Saturday.

Residents of the three-storey building in the southern province of Jizan close to the border with Yemen had told friends of the dead man, 40, about the bad smell coming from his flat, ‘Alwatan’ said.

“His friends phoned the police, who came and broke the door…they found his body hanged from the ceiling fan…preliminary investigation indicated the man had committed a suicide.”

Emirates 24/7

Frankfurt – An Eritrean man appeared in court in Frankfurt Wednesday on a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of a Nigerian man, in a case that has grabbed headlines in Germany.

The 35-year Eritrean admitted that he stabbed the 21-year-old Emeka Okoronkwo in the early hours of May 2 last year, but argued that he had acted in self-defence.

Prosecutors said the victim had intervened to protect two women from the Eritrean’s advances on a street in Frankfurt when a fight broke out, in which the accused had taken a ‘targeted stab at the heart region.’

The accused told the court the knife belonged to Okoronkwo, but fell to the ground as the men fought. He told the court that he picked it up and stabbed at his victim out of self-defence.

‘I am not a murderer, I didn’t want to kill anyone,’ he sobbed.

The case has been widely publicized in Germany, where it is being compared with that of Dominik Brunner, a 50-year-old who died in 2009 after two teenagers attacked him for intervening as they harried younger children on a suburban train in Munich.

The hearing is set to resume on February 22.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur

The police watchdog has launched an investigation following the death of Coventry mum Genet Kidane, says the Coventry Telegraph.

The 41-year-old Eritrean national was found dead after falling 25ft from a footbridge onto the city’s ring road, near the Canal Basin, on January 12. A man, Yonas Beraki, 32, has since been charged with her murder.

West Midlands Police has asked the Independent Police Complaints Commission to investigate after it was revealed that Miss Kidane had been “in contact” with police in the six months before her death. Miss Kidane (inset) – who leaves a 21-year-old daughter – was walking to her job as a cleaner at Primark in Broadgate at the time of her death.

A post mortem revealed she died as a result of multiple injuries consistent with falling from the bridge onto the road below. IPCC Commissioner Len Jackson said: “This is a very sad case and I extend my sincere condolences to Ms Kidane’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

“I also extend my condolences to the close-knit Eritrean community in Coventry, who are also coming to terms with this terrible loss.

“Given the police contact with Ms Kidane in the six months prior to her death, it is only right that the IPCC carry out an independent investigation to examine contact and ensure all was reasonably done to help her.”

Detectives investigating Miss Kidane’s murder are continuing to appeal for the driver of a black cab to come forward.

Officers believe the driver, who had a passenger in the back at the time – may have witnessed Miss Kidane falling from the ring road bridge.

Det Insp Martin Slevin, of Coventry Police, said officers were in the process of contacting taxi companies in the city.

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Detectives have begun to quiz a suspect following the death of Genet Kidane on Coventry ring road according to the Coventry Telegraph.

The 41-year-old Eritrean national was found dead after falling from a footbridge onto the ring road, near the Canal Basin on January 12. Genet – who leaves behind a 21-year-old daughter – was walking to her job as a cleaner at Primark in Broadgate, at the time of her death.

A post mortem revealed she died as a result of multiple injuries from falling from the bridge onto the carriageway below. A man was also found lying injured on the ground and was taken to hospital. He had received injuries to his back and feet and has since undergone surgery.

He was held on suspicion of murder under police guard in hospital. He is now deemed fit enough to be questioned at a city police station.

Genet moved to Coventry from Eritrea, in north-east Africa, six years ago and was granted asylum in this country in 2005. She lived in Samuel Vale House, St Nicholas Street, Radford.

The Jerusalem Post reports of a couple apparently involved in an argument on the streets of Jerusalem leading to the death of a female after her husband attacked her while she tried to get on a bus.

The 20-year-old woman who was stabbed and killed Monday in Jerusalem was allegedly attacked by her husband, an Eritrean citizen, according to an initial police investigation on Tuesday.

The investigation indicated that the couple was waiting at a bus station while the incident happened.

The woman was stabbed in the neck, stomach and thigh. Magen David Adom evacuated her to Jerusalem’s Shaare Tzedek Hospital in critical condition, where she died early Tuesday morning.

The suspect was able to escape and police were still searching for him.

The two were Eritrean migrant workers who married three months ago.

The investigation revealed that the couple had recently separated, because the husband had allegedly beat his wife. No official complaint was filed with the police.

British newspapers report that an Eritrean woman died after she fell from a bridge in Coventry. A 32-year old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder as the investigations are going on. Police authorities were called to the scence yesterday to reports of two people lying in the road at the canal bridge.

A post mortem examination revealed that the 41-year-old woman, named Genet Kidane, had fatal injuries consistent with falling from a bridge. According to a witness a couple was arguing on the bridge minutes before the 41-year old plunged to her death onto a road.

Police said they were keen to speak to three “potentially key witnesses” – a nurse who administered first aid, the driver of a black cab which drove past the scene clockwise on Ringway St Nicholas, and a woman crossing the bridge who was carrying a red umbrella.

Police in Germany has reconstructed the final moments of Emeka Okornkwo, who was stabbed to death by two men from Eritrea last weekend.

Detectives investigating the case said that the incident took place when two women left a night club early Sunday morning to catch a train at a nearby station in Frankfurt. The 29- year- old and 43- year-old females were waiting for their train when they were approached by two Eritreans who verbally harassed them demanding sex.

As the verbal assaults got worse, one of the Eritreans started spitting at the females. This is when Nigerian Emeka Okornkwo came to the women’s aid walking up between the victims and their attackers. After a short fight one of the Eritreans pulled out a knife and stabbed the Nigerian aiming at the left side of his chest.

The Nigerian collapsed immediately and died later in Hospital from the knife wounds to his heart. Last Thursday police arrested a 34-year-old Eritrean who is supposed to be the stabber. His 24-year-old companion was freed as no charges had been filed against him.

A group of 34 refugees (33 Eritreans and a Somali woman) has spent their first night in Italy in a former elementary school in the village of San Lupo, in the Sannio region, outside Benevento (not far from Naples).

They were welcomed by the mayor Irma de Angelis in accordance with the project “Small Municipalities, Large Solidarity”, as part of a wider EU initiative for the 12007-2013 period.

The refugees were also welcomed by representatives from the NGO’s “Connecting People” and the “Amistade Consortium” of Benevento. In the town hall there was a related event attended among others by Soulib Briss and Fabiola Conti from UNHCR Italy. The group of refugees began their ordeal five years ago, traversing several African countries; the group include nine women, two of whom pregnant.

“As mayor and citizen of San Lupo – said Irma de Angelis yesterday – I am pleased to be here today to welcome you and assure you that the town and the local people are happy to receive you. San Lupo, even if small, is generous and all of us will try to help you integrate in our territory”. Orazio Micalizzi, vice-president of ‘Connecting People’, which manages the facility offered in San Lupo as well as the welcome Center where the fefugges were housed before in Salina Grande (Trapani, Sicily), told the refugees:

“Our consortium, with the backing of Amistade, will assure you will get all the services that you need; at the end of the Easter holiday, the various activities provided by the project, starting from Italian language classes, and all the children will be promptly enrolled in local schools and kindergartens”.

Connecting People shall also handle the management of training, socialization and orientation programs, apprenticeships in small artisanal factories and tourism facilities in the area of Benevento. Giuseppe Lorenti, training and research manager at Connecting People stressed:

“the consortium shall ensure for the 24 month duration of the project all services and activities needed to achieve a true socio-economic integration of the recipients, aimed at ensuring them, once the project is over, the greatest possible degree of independence. Apart from the basic housing and foods services, the guests will be given cultural mediation services, social, first-aid and psychological assistance.”

As for San Lupo, it was rebuilt after an earthquake in the XV century on a spur of rock at 500 meters elevation now traversed by a municipal highway linking Benevento to the town of Campobasso. San Lupo is famous for its olive oil but its citizens over the past century have spread throughout the world, from North America to Australia, the country shall now reach, thanks to the newly arrived residents, a total population of some 800 people.

Remembering the 18th century fountain of Capodacqua and, through its saint, the ties to France, the mayor conclude a chat with MISNA saying: “Milca, a nine year old vivacious Eritrean girl, made me smile when she said: yes, I like San Lupo, but I was hoping that it had the sea..” Source(Misna)

A 27-year-old Eritrean who resides at the Marsa Open Centre in Malta was given a a six-year-jail term suspended for two years after pleading guilty to slightly injuring two police officers late on Friday.

The Marsa Open Centre is one of the two main open centres in Malta hosting asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants granted humanitarian protection  after their release from the detention centres.

The Times of Malta reports that Teame Gebremihret Tesfamaryam from Eritrea was thrown out of a bar in Rabat after he became noisy and the owner called the police.

After the incident police took him to the nearest police station in Rabat, a village just outside Malta, where he became aggressive.

According to the newspaper the Eritrean man became aggressive and started to attacked and resist two police men during his arrest.