Tragic end: Wife and brother-in-law found guilty of Ethiopian footballer Alelign Azene’s murder

A court in Ethiopia has rendered a verdict on the murder case of Alelign Azene. The Ethiopia and Bahir Dar Ketema midfielder was murdered in his hometown of Arbaminch on March 26, 2024.

A court in the Gamo Zone Higher Court confirmed the national team player was killed by his wife and brother-in-law. Azene was nursing a knee injury at the time, and his murder shocked many in Ethiopian football. The court stated it found that Azene’s wife and brother-in-law murdered him and attempted to make it look like a suicide. The court sentenced his wife to 16 years and his brother-in-law to 15 years in prison.

Azene came through Arbaminch Ketema and later joined Hawassa Ketema. The box-to-box midfielder earned a name at Bahir Dar Ketema with commanding performances in the Ethiopian Premier League. He was instrumental when the Waves of Tana finished as runners-up in the 2022/23 league season. Azene was well known for his long-range goals and stamina.

Azene was part of the Waliyas squad during the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria. His untimely death sent shockwaves through the Horn of Africa nation.