Olympian and Other Eritreans Released After 18 Years Without Facing Charges, Family Members Say
A group of thirteen people detained for over 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military detention facility, as stated by family members of the detainees.
Those released were a number of prominent figures, such as 69-year-old Olympian cyclist and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its severe environment and where many inmates are considered political prisoners.
Details of the Detention
A source who was previously held in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an assassination attempt on a senior internal security officer in the government.
Approximately thirty individuals were initially detained, according to the source. Some have been released over the years, but about 20 remained in custody.
The Story of an Olympian
Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia.
The nation in the Horn of Africa, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong tradition of cycling and its cyclists have increasingly earned international recognition in recent years.
List of Released
The individuals freed alongside Zeragaber comprise 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 state security officer were released as well.
The Eritrean government has not issued any statement regarding the releases.
A significant number of the former detainees are in poor health and this may be the reason why they have been released at this time.
Relatives were not allowed to visit the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the family members reported.
Global Criticism and Detention Environment
The UN and human rights groups have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of serious abuses, encompassing torture, forced disappearance and the detention of tens of thousands of people in inhumane conditions.
Mai Serwa facility, located 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 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 among the world's most militarised societies, 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 arrested 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the president put into effect the draft constitution and hold open elections.
Per rights groups, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed.
Aged 79, the leader marked 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an election.
