Olympic Athlete and Other Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Family Members Say
Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been freed from a notorious military prison, as stated by relatives of the prisoners.
Those released were several well-known individuals, such as 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 believed to be political prisoners.
Circumstances Surrounding the Detention
A source who was previously held in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an attempted assassination on a high-ranking state security official in the government.
Approximately thirty individuals were originally arrested, according to the source. Some have been released over the years, but roughly two dozen remained in custody.
Profile of an Olympian
Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia.
The mountainous country, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong cycling culture and its riders have increasingly earned global acclaim in recent years.
Those Among the Released
The individuals freed with Zeragaber comprise notable entrepreneurs Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a surveyor.
A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were released as well.
The Eritrean government has not issued any statement concerning the releases of the detainees.
A significant number of the former detainees are in poor health and this may be the reason why they have been freed at this time.
Families were prohibited to see the prisoners during their detention, the family members reported.
Global Condemnation and Detention Environment
United Nations bodies and rights organizations have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of serious abuses, encompassing torture, forced disappearance and the detention of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa prison, situated about 9km north-west of the capital city, Asmara, has expanded over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, according to reports.
Context of Political Control
For the past thirty years, Eritrea has remained a single-party nation with no active constitutional framework. It is one of the most militarised societies, with indefinite military conscription.
There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown of private publications 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 called for that the head of state implement the proposed constitution and conduct democratic polls.
Per advocacy organizations, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, remain unknown.
Aged 79, the president marked 32 years in office and has still never faced an electoral contest.
