Olympian and Other Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Family Members Say
Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military detention facility, as stated by family members of the detainees.
Among those freed were several prominent figures, such as elderly Olympic athlete and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its severe environment and where many detainees are considered detained for political reasons.
Circumstances Surrounding the Detention
A source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 after an attempted assassination on a senior state security official in the government.
Approximately thirty individuals were initially detained, per the source. Some have been freed in the intervening period, but about 20 stayed imprisoned.
Profile of an Athlete
Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia.
The mountainous country, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted cycling culture and its cyclists have increasingly earned international recognition in recent years.
Those Among the Released
The individuals freed alongside Zeragaber include prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a geometrist.
A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were also freed.
The Eritrean government has made no official comment regarding the releases of the detainees.
A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this may be the reason why they have been freed now.
Relatives were not allowed to see the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the family members said.
International Condemnation and Prison Conditions
The UN and rights organizations have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of serious abuses, including ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and the detention of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions.
Mai Serwa prison, located about 9km north-west of the capital city, Asmara, has expanded over the years to include 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, sources have indicated.
Background on Government Rule
Over the last three decades, Eritrea has continued to be a single-party nation with no active constitutional framework. It is one of the most militarised societies, with indefinite military conscription.
There has been no free press since the shutdown of private publications and detention of most of their editors and journalists in 2001.
This occurred after the government detained 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the head of state put into effect the proposed constitution and conduct democratic polls.
According to 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.
Now 79 years old, the president recently passed 32 years in office and has still never faced an electoral contest.
