Olympic Athlete and Several Eritreans Freed After Nearly Two Decades Without Facing Charges, Relatives Say

A group of thirteen people detained for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been freed from a notorious military detention facility, as stated by family members of the detainees.

Those released were several well-known individuals, such as 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.

They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa detention center, renowned for its severe environment and where many inmates are considered political prisoners.

Details of the Detention

A source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an assassination attempt on a senior internal security officer in the government.

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

Profile of an Athlete

Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was a region within Ethiopia.

The nation in the Horn of Africa, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong cycling culture and its riders have steadily gained international recognition over the past decade.

List of Freed

Those released with Zeragaber comprise notable entrepreneurs 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 state security officer were released as well.

The Eritrean government has made no official comment regarding the releases of the detainees.

A significant number of the former detainees are in poor health and this could explain why they have been freed now.

Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners during their incarceration, the family members said.

Global Condemnation and Detention Environment

United Nations bodies 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 grown over the years to include 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, sources have indicated.

Background on Government Rule

Over the last three decades, Eritrea has remained a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarised societies, with indefinite military conscription.

There has been no free press since the closure of independent newspapers and arrest 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 head of state put into effect the proposed constitution and conduct democratic polls.

According to rights groups, the fate and whereabouts of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, remain unknown.

Aged 79, the leader recently passed 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an electoral contest.