🔗 Share this article Olympian and Other Eritreans Released After 18 Years Without Facing Charges, Family Members Report Zeragaber Gebrehiwot was 24 when he participated in the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Thirteen individuals detained for over 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military prison, as stated by family members of the detainees. Among those freed were several well-known individuals, such as 69-year-old Olympic athlete and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its severe environment and where many inmates are believed to be political prisoners. Circumstances Surrounding the Detention A source who was previously held in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 after an assassination attempt on a high-ranking state security official in the government. Around 30 people were initially detained, according to the source. Some have been freed in the intervening period, but about 20 stayed imprisoned. Profile of an Athlete Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia. The mountainous country, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong tradition of cycling and its cyclists have increasingly earned global acclaim in recent years. Those Among the Released Those released alongside Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a surveyor. Six senior police officers and an internal security agent were released as well. The Eritrean government has remained silent concerning the releases. Many of them are sick and this may be the reason why they have been released at this time. Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners throughout their detention, the relatives reported. International Criticism and Detention Environment The UN and human rights groups have long accused the Eritrean government of serious abuses, encompassing torture, enforced disappearances and the imprisonment of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions. 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, according to reports. Context of Political Control Over the last three decades, Eritrea has continued to be a single-party nation with no functioning constitution. It is one of the most militarised societies, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration. There has been no free press since the closure of independent newspapers and detention of most of their editors and journalists in 2001. This occurred after the government arrested 15 politicians known as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they called for that the head of state put into effect 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 leader marked 32 years in power and has still never faced an election.
Zeragaber Gebrehiwot was 24 when he participated in the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Thirteen individuals detained for over 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military prison, as stated by family members of the detainees. Among those freed were several well-known individuals, such as 69-year-old Olympic athlete and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its severe environment and where many inmates are believed to be political prisoners. Circumstances Surrounding the Detention A source who was previously held in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 after an assassination attempt on a high-ranking state security official in the government. Around 30 people were initially detained, according to the source. Some have been freed in the intervening period, but about 20 stayed imprisoned. Profile of an Athlete Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia. The mountainous country, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong tradition of cycling and its cyclists have increasingly earned global acclaim in recent years. Those Among the Released Those released alongside Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a surveyor. Six senior police officers and an internal security agent were released as well. The Eritrean government has remained silent concerning the releases. Many of them are sick and this may be the reason why they have been released at this time. Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners throughout their detention, the relatives reported. International Criticism and Detention Environment The UN and human rights groups have long accused the Eritrean government of serious abuses, encompassing torture, enforced disappearances and the imprisonment of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions. 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, according to reports. Context of Political Control Over the last three decades, Eritrea has continued to be a single-party nation with no functioning constitution. It is one of the most militarised societies, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration. There has been no free press since the closure of independent newspapers and detention of most of their editors and journalists in 2001. This occurred after the government arrested 15 politicians known as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they called for that the head of state put into effect 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 leader marked 32 years in power and has still never faced an election.