đŸ”— Share this article Olympian and Several Eritreans Released After 18 Years Without Trial, Family Members Report Zeragaber Gebrehiwot was 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 notorious military prison, as stated by family members of the prisoners. Among those freed were a number of prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympic athlete and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are considered detained for political reasons. Circumstances Surrounding the Arrest An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an attempted assassination on a high-ranking 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 about 20 remained in custody. The Story of an Olympian Zeragaber raced 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, possesses a deep-rooted cycling culture and its riders have increasingly earned global acclaim over the past decade. List of Freed The individuals freed with 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 state security officer 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 could explain why they have been freed now. Relatives were not allowed to visit the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the family members reported. International Criticism and Prison Conditions The UN and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including ill-treatment, forced disappearance and the detention of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions. Mai Serwa facility, 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 incommunicado, according to reports. Background on Political Control For the past thirty years, Eritrea has continued to be a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is one of the most militarised societies, with indefinite military conscription. There has been an absence of independent media since the closure of independent newspapers and detention of most of their editors and journalists in 2001. This occurred after the government detained 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the president implement the proposed constitution and hold open elections. According to rights groups, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, remain unknown. Now 79 years old, the president marked 32 years in power and has still never faced an electoral contest.
Zeragaber Gebrehiwot was 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 notorious military prison, as stated by family members of the prisoners. Among those freed were a number of prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympic athlete and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are considered detained for political reasons. Circumstances Surrounding the Arrest An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an attempted assassination on a high-ranking 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 about 20 remained in custody. The Story of an Olympian Zeragaber raced 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, possesses a deep-rooted cycling culture and its riders have increasingly earned global acclaim over the past decade. List of Freed The individuals freed with 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 state security officer 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 could explain why they have been freed now. Relatives were not allowed to visit the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the family members reported. International Criticism and Prison Conditions The UN and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including ill-treatment, forced disappearance and the detention of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions. Mai Serwa facility, 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 incommunicado, according to reports. Background on Political Control For the past thirty years, Eritrea has continued to be a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is one of the most militarised societies, with indefinite military conscription. There has been an absence of independent media since the closure of independent newspapers and detention of most of their editors and journalists in 2001. This occurred after the government detained 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they demanded that the president implement the proposed constitution and hold open elections. According to rights groups, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, remain unknown. Now 79 years old, the president marked 32 years in power and has still never faced an electoral contest.