Olympian 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 freed from a infamous military detention facility, as stated by family members of the prisoners.
Those released were several well-known individuals, including elderly Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been held at Mai Serwa detention center, renowned for its severe environment and where many detainees are believed to be detained for political reasons.
Details of the Detention
An unnamed source who was previously held in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an attempted assassination on a senior state security official in the government.
Around 30 people were originally arrested, per the source. Some have been released over the years, but roughly two dozen stayed imprisoned.
The Story of an Athlete
Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was a region within Ethiopia.
The mountainous country, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong cycling culture and its cyclists have increasingly earned international recognition over the past decade.
Those Among the Freed
Those released with Zeragaber include prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a surveyor.
Six senior police officers and an internal security agent were released as well.
The Eritrean government has made no official comment regarding the releases of the detainees.
Many of them are sick and this could explain why they have been freed now.
Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners throughout their detention, the family members said.
Global Condemnation and Prison Conditions
The UN and rights organizations have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of serious abuses, encompassing torture, forced disappearance and the detention of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions.
Mai Serwa facility, situated about 9km north-west of the capital, Asmara, has expanded over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held incommunicado, sources have indicated.
Background on Political Rule
Over the last three decades, Eritrea has remained a one-party state with no active constitutional framework. It is one of the most militarized countries, with indefinite military conscription.
There has been no free press since the shutdown of independent newspapers and detention 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 called for that the president implement the draft constitution and conduct democratic polls.
Per rights groups, the fate and whereabouts 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 office and has yet to participate in an electoral contest.
