đź”— Share this article Olympian and Other Eritreans Released After 18 Years Without Facing Charges, Relatives Say Zeragaber Gebrehiwot competed at age 24 when he participated in the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. A group of thirteen people held for over 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military prison, according to relatives of the detainees. Among those freed were several prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympic athlete and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been held at Mai Serwa prison, known for its severe environment and where many inmates are believed to be political prisoners. Details of the Arrest An unnamed 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 internal security officer in the government. Around 30 people were initially detained, according to the source. A number have been freed in the intervening period, but roughly two dozen stayed imprisoned. The Story of an Athlete Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia. The mountainous country, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted tradition of cycling and its riders have increasingly earned international recognition over the past decade. List of Freed 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. A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were released as well. The Eritrean government has remained silent concerning the releases. Many of them are in poor health and this may be the reason why they have been freed now. Families were not allowed to visit the prisoners throughout their detention, the relatives said. Global Condemnation and Detention Environment The UN and human rights groups have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, encompassing 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, 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 Control Over the last three decades, Eritrea has continued to be a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarized countries, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration. There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown of independent newspapers and detention of most of their staff in 2001. This was when the government detained 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. According to advocacy organizations, the fate and whereabouts of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, remain unknown. Now 79 years old, the president recently passed 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an election.
Zeragaber Gebrehiwot competed at age 24 when he participated in the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. A group of thirteen people held for over 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military prison, according to relatives of the detainees. Among those freed were several prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympic athlete and entrepreneur Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been held at Mai Serwa prison, known for its severe environment and where many inmates are believed to be political prisoners. Details of the Arrest An unnamed 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 internal security officer in the government. Around 30 people were initially detained, according to the source. A number have been freed in the intervening period, but roughly two dozen stayed imprisoned. The Story of an Athlete Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia. The mountainous country, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted tradition of cycling and its riders have increasingly earned international recognition over the past decade. List of Freed 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. A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were released as well. The Eritrean government has remained silent concerning the releases. Many of them are in poor health and this may be the reason why they have been freed now. Families were not allowed to visit the prisoners throughout their detention, the relatives said. Global Condemnation and Detention Environment The UN and human rights groups have long accused the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, encompassing 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, 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 Control Over the last three decades, Eritrea has continued to be a one-party state with no functioning constitution. It is among the world's most militarized countries, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration. There has been an absence of independent media since the shutdown of independent newspapers and detention of most of their staff in 2001. This was when the government detained 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. According to advocacy organizations, the fate and whereabouts of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, remain unknown. Now 79 years old, the president recently passed 32 years in office and has yet to participate in an election.