Olympic Athlete and Other Eritreans Freed After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Relatives Report

A group of thirteen people detained for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous military detention facility, as stated by relatives of the detainees.

Among those freed were a number of prominent figures, including elderly Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.

They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa detention center, renowned for its severe environment and where many detainees are considered detained for political reasons.

Circumstances Surrounding 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 senior state security official in the government.

Around 30 people were initially detained, according to the source. A number have been freed in the intervening period, but roughly two dozen stayed imprisoned.

Profile of an Athlete

Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia.

The mountainous country, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted tradition of cycling and its cyclists have increasingly earned international recognition in recent years.

Those Among the Released

The individuals freed alongside Zeragaber comprise notable entrepreneurs Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a surveyor.

A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were also freed.

The Eritrean government has made no official comment concerning the releases.

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

Relatives were prohibited to see the prisoners during their incarceration, the family members reported.

Global Criticism and Prison Conditions

United Nations bodies and human rights groups have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of serious abuses, including torture, forced disappearance and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of people in inhumane conditions.

Mai Serwa prison, situated 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, sources have indicated.

Context of Political Control

Over the last three decades, Eritrea has continued to be a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is one of the 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 was when the government arrested 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the head of state implement the draft constitution and conduct democratic polls.

According to rights groups, 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 president recently passed 32 years in power and has yet to participate in an electoral contest.