🔗 Share this article Olympian and Several Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Family Members Report Zeragaber Gebrehiwot competed at age 24 when he took part in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. A group of thirteen people detained for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous military prison, according to relatives of the prisoners. Those released were several prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been held at Mai Serwa detention center, known for its severe environment and where many inmates are believed to be detained for political reasons. Circumstances Surrounding the Arrest An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an assassination attempt on a high-ranking state security official in the government. Approximately thirty individuals were originally arrested, according to the source. Some have been freed in the intervening period, but about 20 stayed imprisoned. The Story of an Athlete Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was a region within Ethiopia. The nation in the Horn of Africa, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted tradition of cycling and its riders have increasingly earned international recognition over the past decade. Those Among the Released Those released with Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs 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 released as well. The Eritrean government has not issued any statement regarding the releases of the detainees. A significant number of the former detainees are in poor health and this may be the reason why they have been released at this time. Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners during their incarceration, the family members said. International Criticism and Prison Conditions United Nations bodies and rights organizations have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including torture, forced disappearance and the detention of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances. Mai Serwa prison, situated about 9km north-west of the capital city, Asmara, has expanded over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held incommunicado, according to reports. Context of Political Rule Over the last three decades, Eritrea has remained a one-party state with no active constitutional framework. It is one of the most militarised societies, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration. There has been an absence of independent media since the closure 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 demanded that the head of state implement the proposed constitution and hold open elections. Per 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 president marked 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an election.
Zeragaber Gebrehiwot competed at age 24 when he took part in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. A group of thirteen people detained for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous military prison, according to relatives of the prisoners. Those released were several prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympian cyclist and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been held at Mai Serwa detention center, known for its severe environment and where many inmates are believed to be detained for political reasons. Circumstances Surrounding the Arrest An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an assassination attempt on a high-ranking state security official in the government. Approximately thirty individuals were originally arrested, according to the source. Some have been freed in the intervening period, but about 20 stayed imprisoned. The Story of an Athlete Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was a region within Ethiopia. The nation in the Horn of Africa, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted tradition of cycling and its riders have increasingly earned international recognition over the past decade. Those Among the Released Those released with Zeragaber include notable entrepreneurs 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 released as well. The Eritrean government has not issued any statement regarding the releases of the detainees. A significant number of the former detainees are in poor health and this may be the reason why they have been released at this time. Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners during their incarceration, the family members said. International Criticism and Prison Conditions United Nations bodies and rights organizations have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including torture, forced disappearance and the detention of tens of thousands of people in deplorable circumstances. Mai Serwa prison, situated about 9km north-west of the capital city, Asmara, has expanded over the years to incorporate 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held incommunicado, according to reports. Context of Political Rule Over the last three decades, Eritrea has remained a one-party state with no active constitutional framework. It is one of the most militarised societies, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration. There has been an absence of independent media since the closure 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 demanded that the head of state implement the proposed constitution and hold open elections. Per 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 president marked 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an election.