Olympic Athlete and Several Eritreans Freed After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Family Members Say
Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military prison, as stated by family members of the prisoners.
Among those freed were several prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, known for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are considered political prisoners.
Details of the Detention
A source who was once detained in Mai Serwa indicated 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. A number have been released in the intervening period, but about 20 stayed imprisoned.
Profile of an Olympian
Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was a region within Ethiopia.
The mountainous country, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong tradition of cycling and its riders have increasingly earned international recognition over the past decade.
List of Released
Those released alongside Zeragaber include prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a surveyor.
A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were also freed.
The Eritrean government has not issued any statement concerning the releases of the detainees.
Many of them are in poor health and this may be the reason why they have been freed at this time.
Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners during their incarceration, the family members reported.
Global Condemnation and Detention Environment
The UN and human rights groups have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and the detention of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa facility, located about 9km north-west of the capital city, Asmara, has grown over the years to include 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, sources have indicated.
Context of Political Rule
Over the last three decades, Eritrea has remained a single-party nation with no functioning constitution. It is one of the most militarised societies, with indefinite military conscription.
There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown of independent newspapers and arrest of most of their staff 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 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, are still unconfirmed.
Aged 79, the leader marked 32 years in power and has yet to participate in an electoral contest.