Olympic Athlete and Other Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Family Members Say
A group of thirteen people detained for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military prison, according to family members of the prisoners.
Among those freed were a number of prominent figures, including elderly Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are believed to be detained for political reasons.
Details of the Arrest
A source who was previously held in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an attempted assassination on a senior state security official in the government.
Around 30 people were originally arrested, according to the source. Some have been freed in the intervening period, but about 20 stayed imprisoned.
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, possesses a deep-rooted cycling culture and its riders have increasingly earned international recognition over the past decade.
List of Released
Those released with Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a geometrist.
Six senior police officers and an state security officer were released as well.
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 released at this time.
Families were prohibited to see the prisoners during their detention, the family members said.
International Condemnation and Detention Environment
The UN and human rights groups have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including ill-treatment, forced disappearance and the detention of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa facility, 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 incommunicado, sources have indicated.
Background on Political Control
Over the last three decades, Eritrea has remained a single-party nation with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarised societies, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration.
There has been an absence of independent media since the closure 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 president implement the proposed constitution and conduct democratic polls.
Per rights groups, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, remain unknown.
Aged 79, the president recently passed 32 years in power and has still never faced an electoral contest.
