Olympian and Other Eritreans Freed After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Relatives Say
Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military detention facility, according to relatives of the prisoners.
Among those freed were several well-known individuals, such as 69-year-old Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa detention center, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many detainees are believed to be political prisoners.
Details of the Arrest
An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a senior state security official in the government.
Approximately thirty individuals were initially detained, per the source. Some have been released over the years, but about 20 remained in custody.
The Story of an Athlete
Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia.
The mountainous country, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong tradition of cycling and its riders have steadily gained international recognition in recent years.
List of Freed
The individuals freed with Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a geometrist.
A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were released as well.
The Eritrean government has not issued any statement regarding the releases of the detainees.
A significant number of the former detainees are in poor health and this could explain why they have been freed now.
Relatives were not allowed to see the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the family members said.
International Condemnation and Detention Environment
The UN and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of serious abuses, including torture, forced disappearance and the detention of many thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa prison, located about 9km north-west of the capital, Asmara, has expanded over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, sources have indicated.
Context of Government Rule
For the past thirty years, Eritrea has continued to be a single-party nation with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarised societies, with indefinite military conscription.
There has been an absence of independent media since the closure of private publications and detention of most of their staff in 2001.
This occurred after the government detained 15 politicians known as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the head of state put into effect the draft constitution and hold open elections.
According to rights groups, the fate and whereabouts of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed.
Now 79 years old, the leader recently passed 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an electoral contest.