Olympic Athlete and Other Eritreans Released After 18 Years Without Trial, Family Members Say

A group of thirteen people held for over 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military prison, according to relatives of the detainees.

Among those freed were a number of prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.

They had been held at Mai Serwa detention center, renowned for its severe environment and where many detainees are considered detained for political reasons.

Details of the Arrest

A source who was previously held in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 after an attempted assassination on a high-ranking internal security officer in the government.

Around 30 people were initially detained, per the source. Some have been released over the years, but about 20 remained in custody.

Profile of an Olympian

Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Olympics 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 in recent years.

Those Among the Released

Those released alongside Zeragaber include 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 released as well.

The Eritrean government has remained silent regarding the releases of the detainees.

Many of them are sick and this may be the reason why they have been freed at this time.

Relatives were not allowed to see the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the family members said.

Global Condemnation and Prison Conditions

The UN and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of serious abuses, including torture, forced disappearance and the detention of many 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.

Background on Political Rule

For the past thirty years, Eritrea has remained a single-party nation 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 shutdown of private publications and detention of most of their staff in 2001.

This was when the government arrested 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they called for that the president implement the draft constitution and conduct democratic polls.

According to 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.

Aged 79, the president marked 32 years in power and has yet to participate in an electoral contest.