Olympic Athlete and Several Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Relatives Say
Thirteen individuals held for over 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military prison, as stated by relatives of the prisoners.
Those released were several prominent figures, including elderly Olympian cyclist and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been held at Mai Serwa detention center, renowned for its severe environment and where many inmates are considered detained for political reasons.
Details of the Detention
An unnamed source who was previously held in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a high-ranking internal security officer in the government.
Approximately thirty individuals were originally arrested, per the source. A number have been released over the years, but about 20 stayed imprisoned.
The Story of an Olympian
Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was a region within Ethiopia.
The nation in the Horn of Africa, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong cycling culture and its cyclists have steadily gained international recognition in recent years.
Those Among the Released
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 surveyor.
Six senior police officers and an state security officer were also freed.
The Eritrean government has not issued any statement regarding the releases.
Many of them are sick and this could explain why they have been released at this time.
Families were prohibited to see the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the relatives reported.
International Condemnation and Prison Conditions
The UN and human rights groups have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, encompassing ill-treatment, 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 grown over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held incommunicado, sources have indicated.
Context of Political Rule
For the past thirty years, 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 closure of private publications and arrest 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 called for that the president implement the draft constitution and conduct democratic polls.
Per advocacy organizations, 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 still never faced an electoral contest.
