Olympian and Several Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Relatives Report
Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous 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 severe environment and where many inmates are considered political prisoners.
Details of 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 internal security officer in the government.
Around 30 people were initially detained, per the source. A number have been released over the years, but roughly two dozen remained in custody.
The Story of an Athlete
Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was a region within Ethiopia.
The nation in the Horn of Africa, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted cycling culture and its riders have steadily gained international recognition over the past decade.
Those Among the Released
The individuals freed with Zeragaber include prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a surveyor.
Six senior police officers and an state security officer were released as well.
The Eritrean government has not issued any statement regarding the releases of the detainees.
Many of them are in poor health and this could explain why they have been freed at this time.
Families were not allowed to visit the prisoners during their incarceration, the relatives said.
International Condemnation and Detention Environment
The UN and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, encompassing ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and the detention of tens of thousands of people in inhumane conditions.
Mai Serwa facility, 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 incommunicado, sources have indicated.
Background on Political Rule
For the past thirty years, Eritrea has continued to be a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarized countries, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration.
There has been an absence of independent media since the closure of independent newspapers and arrest of most of their editors and journalists in 2001.
This occurred after the government arrested 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they called for that the head of state put into effect the proposed constitution and conduct democratic polls.
According to rights groups, the fate and whereabouts of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed.
Aged 79, the leader marked 32 years in office and has still never faced an election.