![\"Police](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11fbecf1-0320-4878-a897-f517044ae461.jpg.webp.webp\")
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, <\/p>\nProtests outside Epping hotel followed Kebatu’s arrestpublished at 13:42 British Summer Time<\/p>\n
13:42 BST<\/p>\n
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, <\/p>\n
Police officers stationed outside of The Bell Hotel ahead of a demonstration on 27 July<\/p>\n
On the first day of the trial, prosecutor Stuart Cowen told the judge the incidents “attracted quite a lot of publicity” due to the defendant’s personal circumstances.<\/p>\n
Hadush Kebatu is from Ethiopia and was staying at The Bell Hotel in Epping as an asylum seeker.<\/p>\n
Thousands of people gathered in protest near the hotel in the weeks following Kebatu’s arrest – as well as groups of counter-protesters.<\/p>\n
Dozens were subsequently arrested in connection with disorder near the hotel, and many have since been charged.<\/p>\n
The use of the hotel to house asylum seekers has itself been subject to its own court hearings.<\/p>\n
Epping Forest District Council had secured a temporary injunction from the High Court ahead of a trial due later this year – which would have meant all migrants had to leave the hotel by 12 September.<\/p>\n
That was then overturned by the Court of Appeal, meaning those at the hotel can stay for now. The council has since lost a legal attempt to appeal to the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n
A full High Court hearing for a final decision on the hotel is expected in mid-October.<\/p>\n