Olympian and Several Eritreans Released After 18 Years Without Facing Charges, Family Members Say
Thirteen individuals held for over 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been freed from a notorious military prison, as stated by family members of the detainees.
Those released were several prominent figures, such as elderly Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been held at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its severe environment and where many inmates are considered detained for political reasons.
Details of the Arrest
A source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an assassination attempt on a senior state security official in the government.
Around 30 people were originally arrested, according to the source. A number have been freed in the intervening period, 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 gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong tradition of cycling and its cyclists have steadily gained global acclaim over the past decade.
List of Freed
The individuals freed with Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a geometrist.
Six senior police officers and an state security officer were also freed.
The Eritrean government has remained silent regarding the releases.
Many of them are sick and this could explain why they have been freed now.
Families were prohibited to visit 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 imprisonment of many thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa facility, situated about 9km north-west of the capital city, Asmara, has grown over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, sources have indicated.
Background on Government Rule
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 no free press since the shutdown of private publications and detention of most of their editors and journalists in 2001.
This was when the government detained 15 politicians known as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the president implement the draft constitution and conduct democratic polls.
According to rights groups, the fate and whereabouts of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, remain unknown.
Aged 79, the leader marked 32 years in power and has still never faced an electoral contest.
