Olympic Athlete and Several Eritreans Released After 18 Years Without Trial, Relatives Report
A group of thirteen people detained for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military prison, as stated by relatives of the detainees.
Those released were a number of well-known individuals, such as elderly Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, known for its severe environment and where many detainees are considered political prisoners.
Details of the Arrest
An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 after an assassination attempt on a high-ranking internal security officer in the government.
Around 30 people were initially detained, 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 part of Ethiopia.
The mountainous country, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted tradition of cycling and its riders have steadily gained international recognition in recent years.
Those Among the Freed
The individuals freed alongside Zeragaber include prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a surveyor.
Six senior police officers and an internal security agent were also freed.
The Eritrean government has remained silent concerning the releases of the detainees.
Many of them are sick and this could explain why they have been released at this time.
Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners throughout their detention, the relatives said.
Global Criticism and Detention Environment
The UN and human rights groups have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of serious abuses, including torture, forced disappearance and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa facility, situated 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.
Context of Government Rule
For the past thirty years, 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 closure of independent newspapers and arrest of most of their staff in 2001.
This occurred after the government detained 15 politicians known as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the head of state implement the draft constitution and hold open elections.
According to rights groups, the fate and whereabouts of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, remain unknown.
Aged 79, the president marked 32 years in office and has still never faced an electoral contest.