Olympian and Other Eritreans Freed After 18 Years Without Trial, Family Members Say
A group of thirteen people held for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military detention facility, according to family members of the detainees.
Among those freed were several prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been held at Mai Serwa detention center, known for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are considered detained for political reasons.
Details of the Detention
A source who was previously held 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.
Approximately thirty individuals were originally arrested, according to the source. Some have been released in the intervening period, but about 20 stayed imprisoned.
Profile of an Athlete
Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia.
The mountainous country, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong cycling culture and its riders have increasingly earned global acclaim over the past decade.
Those Among the Released
The individuals freed with Zeragaber include prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a geometrist.
A half-dozen high-level police officials and an state security officer were released as well.
The Eritrean government has not issued any statement concerning the releases.
A significant number of the former detainees are in poor health and this could explain why they have been freed now.
Relatives were not allowed to see the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the relatives reported.
Global Condemnation and Prison Conditions
United Nations bodies and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including torture, enforced disappearances and the detention of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa prison, situated about 9km north-west of the capital city, Asmara, has expanded over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, according to reports.
Background on Government Control
Over the last three decades, Eritrea has continued to be a single-party nation with no functioning constitution. It is one of the most militarised societies, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration.
There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown 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 president implement the proposed constitution and conduct democratic polls.
According to advocacy organizations, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed.
Now 79 years old, the leader marked 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an electoral contest.
