Olympic Athlete and Several Eritreans Released After 18 Years Without Facing Charges, Relatives Report
A group of thirteen people held 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.
Those released were several prominent figures, such as 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been held at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are considered political prisoners.
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 high-ranking state security official in the government.
Around 30 people were initially detained, per the source. A number have been released over the years, but about 20 stayed imprisoned.
Profile of an Athlete
Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was a region within Ethiopia.
The mountainous country, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted cycling culture and its cyclists have increasingly earned international recognition over the past decade.
List of Freed
The individuals freed alongside Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a surveyor.
A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were also freed.
The Eritrean government has remained silent concerning the releases of the detainees.
A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this could explain why they have been freed now.
Families were prohibited to see the prisoners throughout their detention, the family members reported.
International Condemnation and Prison Conditions
United Nations bodies and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, encompassing ill-treatment, forced disappearance and the imprisonment of many thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa facility, 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 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 one of the most militarized countries, with indefinite military conscription.
There has been an absence of independent media since the closure of private publications and arrest of most of their editors and journalists in 2001.
This occurred after the government detained 15 politicians known as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they called for that the president put into effect the proposed 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, remain unknown.
Aged 79, the leader recently passed 32 years in power and has yet to participate in an election.