Olympian and Other Eritreans Released After 18 Years Without Facing Charges, Relatives Say
A group of thirteen people held for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous military prison, according to relatives of the detainees.
Among those freed were several well-known individuals, including 69-year-old Olympian cyclist and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, known for its harsh conditions and where many detainees are believed to be political prisoners.
Circumstances Surrounding the Arrest
An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 after an assassination attempt on a senior state security official in the government.
Around 30 people were initially detained, according to the source. A number have been freed over the years, but roughly two dozen stayed imprisoned.
The Story of an Olympian
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 tradition of cycling and its riders have steadily gained global acclaim in recent years.
Those Among the Freed
Those released with Zeragaber comprise prominent businessmen 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 state security officer were released as well.
The Eritrean government has not issued any statement concerning the releases.
Many of them are sick and this could explain why they have been released now.
Families were prohibited to see the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the relatives said.
Global Condemnation and Detention Environment
The UN and human rights groups have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, encompassing ill-treatment, forced disappearance and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa facility, situated 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 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 militarised societies, with indefinite military conscription.
There has been no free press since the shutdown of independent newspapers and detention of most of their editors and journalists in 2001.
This was when the government detained 15 politicians known as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they called for that the head of state implement the draft constitution and hold open elections.
Per advocacy organizations, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed.
Aged 79, the leader recently passed 32 years in power and has yet to participate in an election.
