Olympian and Several Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Family Members Say
A group of thirteen people held for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military detention facility, as stated by relatives of the prisoners.
Those released were a number of prominent figures, such as 69-year-old Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been held at Mai Serwa prison, known for its severe environment and where many detainees are considered political prisoners.
Details of the Detention
An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an assassination attempt on a high-ranking internal security officer in the government.
Around 30 people were initially detained, according to the source. A number have been released over the years, but about 20 stayed imprisoned.
Profile of an Athlete
Zeragaber competed 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 riders have increasingly earned international recognition in recent years.
List of Released
The individuals freed with Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a geometrist.
A half-dozen high-level police officials and an state security officer were also freed.
The Eritrean government has remained silent concerning the releases.
A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this may be the reason why they have been freed now.
Families were prohibited to visit the prisoners throughout their detention, the relatives said.
International Condemnation and Detention Environment
The UN and rights organizations have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, encompassing torture, forced disappearance and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa prison, located about 9km north-west of the capital, Asmara, has grown over the years to include 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held incommunicado, according to reports.
Context of Government Rule
Over the last three decades, Eritrea has remained a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarized countries, with indefinite military conscription.
There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown of private publications and arrest of most of their editors and journalists in 2001.
This occurred after the government detained 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the head of state put into effect 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, are still unconfirmed.
Now 79 years old, the president marked 32 years in power and has still never faced an election.
