Olympian and Other Eritreans Freed After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Family Members Report

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

Among those freed were several prominent figures, such as 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.

They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, known for its severe environment and where many inmates are believed to be detained for political reasons.

Details of the Detention

An unnamed source who was previously held in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an attempted assassination on a senior internal security officer in the government.

Approximately thirty individuals were originally arrested, per the source. Some have been freed in the intervening period, but roughly two dozen remained in custody.

Profile of an Athlete

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

The nation in the Horn of Africa, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong cycling culture and its cyclists have steadily gained global acclaim in recent years.

Those Among the Freed

Those released alongside Zeragaber comprise prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an technical professional, and Matthews, a geometrist.

A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were also freed.

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 at this time.

Families were not allowed to visit the prisoners during their incarceration, the family members reported.

Global Criticism and Detention Environment

The UN and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of serious abuses, including ill-treatment, forced disappearance and the imprisonment of many thousands of people in inhumane conditions.

Mai Serwa facility, 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, according to reports.

Background on Political Control

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 compulsory national service of unlimited duration.

There has been no free press since the closure of private publications 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 president implement the draft constitution and conduct democratic polls.

Per advocacy organizations, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists accused of links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed.

Aged 79, the president recently passed 32 years in office and has still never faced an election.