🔗 Share this article Olympian and Several Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Relatives Say 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 infamous military detention facility, according to family members of the detainees. Those released were a number of well-known individuals, such as 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa detention center, known for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are considered detained for political reasons. Details of the Detention A source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a senior state security official in the government. Around 30 people were originally arrested, per the source. A number have been released over the years, but roughly two dozen 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 international recognition over the past decade. List of Freed Those released with Zeragaber include prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a geometrist. Six senior police officers and an internal security agent were released as well. The Eritrean government has made no official comment concerning the releases. A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this may be the reason why they have been freed at this time. Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners throughout their detention, the family members reported. International Criticism and Detention Environment United Nations bodies and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including ill-treatment, forced disappearance and the imprisonment of many thousands of people in deplorable circumstances. 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 incommunicado, sources have indicated. Background on Political Rule Over the last three decades, Eritrea has remained a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarized countries, with indefinite military conscription. There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown 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 head of state put into effect the proposed constitution and hold open elections. According to rights groups, 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 leader recently passed 32 years in office 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 infamous military detention facility, according to family members of the detainees. Those released were a number of well-known individuals, such as 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa detention center, known for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are considered detained for political reasons. Details of the Detention A source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a senior state security official in the government. Around 30 people were originally arrested, per the source. A number have been released over the years, but roughly two dozen 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 international recognition over the past decade. List of Freed Those released with Zeragaber include prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a geometrist. Six senior police officers and an internal security agent were released as well. The Eritrean government has made no official comment concerning the releases. A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this may be the reason why they have been freed at this time. Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners throughout their detention, the family members reported. International Criticism and Detention Environment United Nations bodies and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including ill-treatment, forced disappearance and the imprisonment of many thousands of people in deplorable circumstances. 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 incommunicado, sources have indicated. Background on Political Rule Over the last three decades, Eritrea has remained a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarized countries, with indefinite military conscription. There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown 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 head of state put into effect the proposed constitution and hold open elections. According to rights groups, 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 leader recently passed 32 years in office and has still never faced an electoral contest.