Eritrean ICE detainee commits suicide in transit in Egypt

© Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

Associated Press
CAIRO

Egyptian airport officials say an Eritrean detainee of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has died in a holding area after apparently committing suicide.

The officials said on Saturday that Zeresenay Ermias Testfatsion, 34, was being held by authorities at Cairo International Airport, awaiting his return to Asmara, Eritrea.

They say he was found deceased on Wednesday in a shower area and that his remains were taken to the nearby Heliopolis Hospital. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media.

A Saturday statement by ICE confirmed the death, adding that Testfatsion had been in ICE custody since Feb 2, 2017 following his arrest at the Hidalgo, Texas Port of Entry after he attempted to unlawfully enter the United States.