🔗 Share this article Olympic Athlete and Several Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Relatives Report Zeragaber Gebrehiwot competed at age 24 when he took part in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous military detention facility, as stated by relatives of the prisoners. Those released were a number of well-known individuals, such as elderly Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa detention center, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many detainees are believed to be detained for political reasons. Circumstances Surrounding the Detention An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a senior state security official in the government. Around 30 people were originally arrested, according to the source. A number have been released over the years, but about 20 stayed imprisoned. The Story of an Athlete 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 steadily gained global acclaim in recent years. Those Among the Freed Those released alongside Zeragaber comprise prominent businessmen 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 internal security agent were also freed. The Eritrean government has not issued any statement concerning the releases of the detainees. A significant number of the former detainees are in poor health and this could explain why they have been freed now. Families were prohibited to see the prisoners during their detention, the relatives reported. International Criticism and Prison Conditions The UN and human rights groups have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of serious abuses, encompassing ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances. Mai Serwa prison, 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 incommunicado, sources have indicated. Background on Political Control For the past thirty years, Eritrea has remained a single-party nation with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarised societies, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration. There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown of private publications 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 put into effect the draft constitution and conduct democratic polls. According to advocacy organizations, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having 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.
Zeragaber Gebrehiwot competed at age 24 when he took part in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous military detention facility, as stated by relatives of the prisoners. Those released were a number of well-known individuals, such as elderly Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa detention center, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many detainees are believed to be detained for political reasons. Circumstances Surrounding the Detention An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a senior state security official in the government. Around 30 people were originally arrested, according to the source. A number have been released over the years, but about 20 stayed imprisoned. The Story of an Athlete 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 steadily gained global acclaim in recent years. Those Among the Freed Those released alongside Zeragaber comprise prominent businessmen 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 internal security agent were also freed. The Eritrean government has not issued any statement concerning the releases of the detainees. A significant number of the former detainees are in poor health and this could explain why they have been freed now. Families were prohibited to see the prisoners during their detention, the relatives reported. International Criticism and Prison Conditions The UN and human rights groups have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of serious abuses, encompassing ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances. Mai Serwa prison, 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 incommunicado, sources have indicated. Background on Political Control For the past thirty years, Eritrea has remained a single-party nation with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarised societies, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration. There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown of private publications 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 put into effect the draft constitution and conduct democratic polls. According to advocacy organizations, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having 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.