🔗 Share this article Olympian and Several Eritreans Freed After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Relatives Say Zeragaber Gebrehiwot was 24 when he participated in the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous military detention facility, as stated by family members of the prisoners. Among those freed were several well-known individuals, including 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been held at Mai Serwa prison, known for its harsh conditions and where many detainees are believed to be political prisoners. Circumstances Surrounding the Detention A source who was previously held in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an attempted assassination on a senior internal security officer in the government. Around 30 people were originally arrested, per the source. A number have been freed over the years, but about 20 stayed imprisoned. The Story of an Olympian Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia. The nation in the Horn of Africa, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong tradition of cycling and its cyclists have steadily gained international recognition over the past decade. List of Released The individuals freed alongside Zeragaber comprise 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 also freed. The Eritrean government has remained silent concerning the releases of the detainees. A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this may be the reason why they have been freed now. Relatives were not allowed to see the prisoners throughout their detention, the family members said. Global Condemnation and Detention Environment The UN and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and the imprisonment of tens of 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 include 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, according to reports. Background on Government Control For the past thirty years, Eritrea has continued to be a one-party state with no active constitutional framework. 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 arrest of most of their staff in 2001. This occurred after the government arrested 15 politicians referred to 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. Per advocacy organizations, the fate and whereabouts of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed. Aged 79, the leader recently passed 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an electoral contest.
Zeragaber Gebrehiwot was 24 when he participated in the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous military detention facility, as stated by family members of the prisoners. Among those freed were several well-known individuals, including 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been held at Mai Serwa prison, known for its harsh conditions and where many detainees are believed to be political prisoners. Circumstances Surrounding the Detention A source who was previously held in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an attempted assassination on a senior internal security officer in the government. Around 30 people were originally arrested, per the source. A number have been freed over the years, but about 20 stayed imprisoned. The Story of an Olympian Zeragaber raced in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia. The nation in the Horn of Africa, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong tradition of cycling and its cyclists have steadily gained international recognition over the past decade. List of Released The individuals freed alongside Zeragaber comprise 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 also freed. The Eritrean government has remained silent concerning the releases of the detainees. A significant number of the former detainees are sick and this may be the reason why they have been freed now. Relatives were not allowed to see the prisoners throughout their detention, the family members said. Global Condemnation and Detention Environment The UN and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, including ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and the imprisonment of tens of 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 include 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, according to reports. Background on Government Control For the past thirty years, Eritrea has continued to be a one-party state with no active constitutional framework. 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 arrest of most of their staff in 2001. This occurred after the government arrested 15 politicians referred to 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. Per advocacy organizations, the fate and whereabouts of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed. Aged 79, the leader recently passed 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an electoral contest.