Eritrean Embassy Denies Bruke Desalagne Convicted Of Raping Male Pensioner Is Eritrean Citizen, Demands Proof | Sahara Reporters

Desalagne, identified in media reports as Eritrean, has been found guilty of raping a pensioner in his 60s outside St John’s Church in Harrow.

The Embassy of Eritrea in the United Kingdom and Ireland has denied that 33-year-old Bruke Desalagne, who was involved in an incident outside St. John’s Church in Harrow, North London, is a registered Eritrean citizen.

Desalagne, identified in media reports as Eritrean, has been found guilty of raping a pensioner in his 60s outside St John’s Church in Harrow.

The court heard that Desalagne dragged the victim from a bench to a secluded area behind a hoarding, where the attack, lasting around 20 minutes, took place. The victim was heavily intoxicated at the time.

A passing motorist witnessed the incident from her car and immediately alerted police. She also recorded footage, which was later handed over to officers.

Desalagne was arrested at the scene and charged the following day.

During the trial, he claimed he had initially approached the victim to offer assistance because of his intoxicated state.

After deliberating for just over two hours, a jury at Harrow Crown Court convicted him of rape.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the embassy said it had no record of Desalagne as a citizen of Eritrea and had requested evidence from Harrow Crown Court to establish his claimed nationality.

The embassy also said it had contacted media organisations that reported on the case, including the BBC, Daily Mail, The Telegraph and GB News, but claimed none had provided evidence confirming that Desalagne is Eritrean.

“The Embassy of Eritrea has confirmed that there is no record of an individual named Bruke Desalagne being registered as a citizen of Eritrea,” the statement said.

“We also requested proof from Harrow Crown Court regarding his status as an Eritrean national. So far, no one, including the BBC, Daily Mail, The Telegraph, and GB News, has been able to provide evidence of his Eritrean origin.”

The embassy used the development to raise broader concerns about the identification of asylum seekers who claim Eritrean nationality in the UK and other European countries.

According to the embassy, a significant number of African nationals allegedly misrepresent their nationality as Eritrean in order to obtain asylum.

It claimed that estimates from UK and European immigration officials indicated that between 50% and 70% of asylum applicants claiming Eritrean nationality were not originally from Eritrea.

The embassy argued that such claims had created difficulties for British and European immigration authorities while also affecting perceptions of Eritrean nationals.

“This issue is increasingly undermining the integrity of these immigration systems,” the statement said.

“It has also become a focal point of political tension directed against both the people and the government of Eritrea.”

The embassy further alleged that the UK’s asylum policies had created incentives for people from other African countries to falsely claim Eritrean nationality for economic and immigration benefits.

It cited investigations reportedly launched by the UK Home Office following social media posts by migrants allegedly boasting about deceiving immigration officials to secure residency.

The Eritrean government’s diplomatic mission said the situation demonstrated the need for British and European authorities to review their immigration policies.

“It is a pressing issue, and both European and UK authorities must reconsider and revise their policies,” it said.

The embassy also condemned what it described as the misrepresentation of Eritrean nationality, saying such conduct was inconsistent with the values and principles of Eritrean society.

“The Embassy of Eritrea in the United Kingdom and Ireland firmly condemns these actions, as they stand in stark contrast to the cultural values, principles, and beliefs that are foundational to Eritrean society,” the statement said.