Olympian and Other Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Family Members Say

Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been freed from a notorious military detention facility, as stated by relatives of the detainees.

Among those freed were several prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.

They had been held at Mai Serwa detention center, known for its severe environment and where many inmates are believed to be political prisoners.

Details of the Arrest

An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a senior internal security officer in the government.

Approximately thirty individuals were initially detained, per the source. Some have been released in the intervening period, but roughly two dozen remained in custody.

Profile of an Olympian

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

The mountainous country, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted cycling culture and its riders have increasingly earned international recognition over the past decade.

List of Released

Those released alongside Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a surveyor.

Six senior police officers and an state security officer were released as well.

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

A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this could explain why they have been released at this time.

Relatives were prohibited to see the prisoners throughout their detention, the relatives reported.

International Criticism and Detention Environment

United Nations bodies and rights organizations have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of serious abuses, encompassing torture, enforced disappearances and the imprisonment of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions.

Mai Serwa prison, situated about 9km north-west of the capital, Asmara, has expanded over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, according to reports.

Context of Government Control

For the past thirty years, Eritrea has remained a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is one of the most militarised societies, with indefinite military conscription.

There has been no free press since the closure of private publications and arrest of most of their staff in 2001.

This was when the government arrested 15 politicians known as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they called for that the head of state implement the draft constitution and hold open elections.

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

Now 79 years old, the president marked 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an election.