Man detained in Belfast allegedly convicted of rape in Dublin under different name

A man, Teklemariam Lijam, was apprehended in Belfast after an international police search. The High Court in Belfast was briefed on the matter today. Prosecutors alleged that Lijam had been previously convicted of rape in Dublin using a different identity. Lijam, an Eritrean national with no fixed address, is now facing additional charges of not registering as a sex offender, providing false information to the police, and attempting to subvert justice.

Refusing to grant bail, Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan of Northern Ireland deemed there were no conditions under which Lijam could be released safely. The court learned that Lijam was arrested in March following an Interpol request to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to locate a high-risk sex offender known as Bereket Mekonnen.

Mekonnen was wanted for not informing Irish authorities about a change of address after serving a prison sentence for rape in 2007. Fingerprints linked to Mekonnen were found on record for Lijam. Crown counsel stated that the defendant arrived in the UK in 2024 but was later prosecuted for a separate exposure offence. Crown counsel submitted that Lijam intentionally provided false information to the courts in Northern Ireland to mislead them.

During questioning, Lijam conceded that the individual in a photograph accompanying a newspaper report from the earlier rape case was him, but could not confirm the information's accuracy due to language barriers. Ongoing Home Office checks are being conducted to verify his correct details. A European Arrest Warrant is also being prepared in the Republic of Ireland.

In opposition to bail, counsel noted that Lijam operates under two different identities and police have reasonable grounds to doubt the authenticity of his claimed name. Defense counsel Kelly Doherty contested allegations that her client committed perjury and could flee the jurisdiction, citing his refugee status in the UK. She argued that if Lijam returned to Eritrea, his life would be in danger. Bail was denied, but the decision was based on concerns that Lijam could reoffend or abscond.