Norwegian man sentenced to 19 years for fatal street attack on ex-wife

A 47-year-old man was sentenced Monday to 19 years in prison for the murder of his ex-wife in broad daylight on a street in Hønefoss last year, Dagbladet reports.

Tsegay Meressie Mosazgi admitted to killing Hadas Kidane Desta, 50, but claimed in court he had only intended to injure her. The Ringerike and Hallingdal District Court rejected his account, ruling the attack was deliberate.

Desta was beaten repeatedly in the head and body with a car jack and stabbed at least four times in the upper torso in front of multiple witnesses on June 10, 2025. Mosazgi was also ordered to pay 450,000 kroner (approx. €40,000) in compensation to the victim’s daughter and 200,000 kroner (approx. €18,000) to a bystander who attempted to intervene.

Prosecutors had sought preventive detention, arguing Mosazgi posed a continuing danger, but the court instead imposed the fixed prison term. His defense lawyer had questioned his mental capacity at the time of the killing.

The couple separated in 2019, and Desta had reported Mosazgi to police multiple times for violence and threats in the years leading up to the attack. A restraining order was in effect at the time of the murder. Investigators believe the assault was premeditated, as Mosazgi attacked Desta while she was returning from a welfare office appointment.