Olympic Athlete and Other Eritreans Freed After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Family Members Say
Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military prison, as stated by relatives of the detainees.
Those released were a number of well-known individuals, including elderly Olympic athlete and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been held at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many detainees are considered political prisoners.
Circumstances Surrounding the Arrest
A source who was previously held in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a high-ranking state security official in the government.
Around 30 people were originally arrested, per the source. A number have been freed in the intervening period, but roughly two dozen stayed imprisoned.
The Story of an Athlete
Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia.
The mountainous country, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted tradition of cycling and its cyclists have steadily gained international recognition over the past decade.
Those Among the 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 surveyor.
A half-dozen high-level police officials and an state security officer were also freed.
The Eritrean government has remained silent regarding the releases.
Many of them are sick and this could explain why they have been released at this time.
Families were prohibited to see the prisoners during their incarceration, the relatives reported.
International Condemnation and Detention Environment
The UN and human rights groups have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including torture, forced disappearance and the detention of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions.
Mai Serwa facility, located about 9km north-west of the capital, Asmara, has grown over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held incommunicado, sources have indicated.
Background on Government Control
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 no free press since the shutdown of independent newspapers and detention of most of their staff in 2001.
This occurred after the government arrested 15 politicians known as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the president implement the proposed constitution and conduct democratic polls.
According to advocacy organizations, the fate and whereabouts of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, remain unknown.
Now 79 years old, the leader recently passed 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an election.
