Olympian and Several Eritreans Freed After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Family Members Report
Thirteen individuals held for over 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military prison, according to relatives of the prisoners.
Among those freed were a number of prominent figures, such as elderly Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many detainees are believed to be detained for political reasons.
Circumstances Surrounding the Detention
An unnamed source who was previously held in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an attempted assassination on a high-ranking internal security officer in the government.
Around 30 people were originally arrested, according to the source. Some have been freed in the intervening period, but roughly two dozen stayed imprisoned.
Profile of an Athlete
Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia.
The nation in the Horn of Africa, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted cycling culture and its cyclists have steadily gained global acclaim in recent years.
Those Among the Freed
The individuals freed alongside Zeragaber comprise prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a surveyor.
A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were released as well.
The Eritrean government has made no official comment regarding the releases.
A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this could explain why they have been released now.
Families were not allowed to see the prisoners throughout their detention, the family members said.
International Condemnation and Prison Conditions
The UN and human rights groups have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, encompassing ill-treatment, forced disappearance and the imprisonment of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions.
Mai Serwa prison, situated about 9km north-west of the capital, Asmara, has expanded over the years to include 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held incommunicado, according to reports.
Background on Political Rule
For the past thirty years, Eritrea has continued to be a single-party nation with no active constitutional framework. It is among the world's most militarized countries, with indefinite military conscription.
There has been no free press since the shutdown of independent newspapers and arrest of most of their staff in 2001.
This occurred after the government arrested 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they called for that the head of state put into effect the proposed constitution and conduct democratic polls.
Per advocacy organizations, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, remain unknown.
Aged 79, the leader marked 32 years in power and has still never faced an election.
