Olympian and Several Eritreans Freed After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Relatives Say

A group of thirteen people detained for over 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military prison, as stated by family members 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 detained for political reasons.

Details of the Detention

An unnamed source who was previously held in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a high-ranking state security official in the government.

Around 30 people were originally arrested, according to the source. Some have been freed in the intervening period, but about 20 stayed imprisoned.

The Story of an Athlete

Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was a region within Ethiopia.

The mountainous country, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong cycling culture and its cyclists have steadily gained international recognition over the past decade.

List of Freed

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.

A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were released as well.

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

Many of them are in poor health and this could explain why they have been freed now.

Families were not allowed to see the prisoners throughout their detention, the family members said.

International Condemnation and Detention Environment

United Nations bodies and human rights groups have long accused the Eritrean government of serious abuses, encompassing torture, forced disappearance and the detention of tens of thousands of people in inhumane conditions.

Mai Serwa prison, located about 9km north-west of the capital city, Asmara, has grown over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, sources have indicated.

Context of Government Control

For the past thirty years, Eritrea has remained a one-party state with no active constitutional framework. 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 independent newspapers and detention of most of their staff 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 head of state implement 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 accused of links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed.

Now 79 years old, the leader recently passed 32 years in power and has still never faced an election.