Olympic Athlete and Several Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Family Members Say

Thirteen individuals detained for over 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous military detention facility, according to relatives of the prisoners.

Those released were several well-known individuals, including elderly Olympic athlete and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.

They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa detention center, known for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are believed to be 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 following an assassination attempt on a senior state security official in the government.

Around 30 people were initially detained, per the source. A number have been released in the intervening period, but about 20 stayed imprisoned.

The Story of an Athlete

Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia.

The mountainous country, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted cycling culture and its riders have increasingly earned global acclaim over the past decade.

Those Among the 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 not issued any statement concerning the releases of the detainees.

A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this could explain why they have been freed at this time.

Families were not allowed to visit the prisoners during their incarceration, the relatives said.

Global Condemnation and Prison Conditions

The UN and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including torture, forced disappearance and the detention of tens of 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 without contact, sources have indicated.

Context of Government Rule

Over the last three decades, Eritrea has remained a single-party nation with no functioning constitution. It is one of the most militarized countries, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration.

There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown of private publications and arrest of most of their editors and journalists in 2001.

This was when the government detained 15 politicians known as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they called for that the head of state implement the draft constitution and hold open elections.

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 marked 32 years in office and has still never faced an election.