Olympic Athlete and Several Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Relatives Report
A group of thirteen people detained for over 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military detention facility, as stated by family members of the prisoners.
Those released were a number of well-known individuals, including elderly Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its severe environment and where many detainees are believed to be 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, according to the source. Some have been released over the years, but about 20 remained in custody.
The Story 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 riders have increasingly earned international recognition in recent years.
List of Released
Those released with Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs 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 regarding the releases of the detainees.
Many of them are sick and this may be the reason why they have been released at this time.
Relatives were prohibited to see the prisoners during their detention, the relatives reported.
Global Condemnation and Detention Environment
United Nations bodies and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of serious abuses, including torture, forced disappearance and the detention of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions.
Mai Serwa prison, 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 incommunicado, according to reports.
Context of Government Rule
Over the last three decades, Eritrea has continued to be a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is one of the most militarized countries, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration.
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 arrested 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the president put into effect the draft constitution and hold open elections.
According to rights groups, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed.
Now 79 years old, the president marked 32 years in office and has still never faced an election.