Olympic Athlete and Other Eritreans Freed After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Family Members Say

A group of thirteen people held for over 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military prison, according to relatives of the prisoners.

Among those freed were a number of prominent figures, such as 69-year-old Olympic athlete and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.

They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are believed to be detained for political reasons.

Details of the Arrest

A source who was once detained in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a high-ranking state security official in the government.

Approximately thirty individuals were originally arrested, according to the source. Some have been freed over the years, but about 20 remained in custody.

The Story 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, possesses a deep-rooted tradition of cycling and its riders have steadily gained international recognition over the past decade.

Those Among the Freed

Those released with Zeragaber comprise prominent businessmen 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 internal security agent were released as well.

The Eritrean government has remained silent regarding the releases.

A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this may be the reason why they have been freed now.

Relatives were not allowed to visit the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the family members reported.

Global Criticism and Detention Environment

United Nations bodies and human rights groups have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and the detention of many thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.

Mai Serwa prison, located about 9km north-west of the capital city, Asmara, has grown over the years to include 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held incommunicado, sources have indicated.

Background on Political Rule

For the past thirty years, Eritrea has continued to be a single-party nation with no functioning constitution. It is one of the most militarized countries, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration.

There has been no free press since the shutdown of independent newspapers 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 president implement the proposed constitution and conduct democratic polls.

Per advocacy organizations, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, remain unknown.

Aged 79, the leader recently passed 32 years in office and has still never faced an electoral contest.