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

Thirteen individuals held for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military prison, as stated by relatives of the detainees.

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

They had been held at Mai Serwa detention center, known for its harsh conditions and where many detainees are considered detained for political reasons.

Circumstances Surrounding the Arrest

A source who was once detained in Mai Serwa stated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 following an attempted assassination on a high-ranking internal security officer in the government.

Around 30 people were originally arrested, per the source. A number have been released over the years, but about 20 stayed imprisoned.

The Story of an Olympian

Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Games in 1980 when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia.

The nation in the Horn of Africa, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted tradition of cycling and its riders have increasingly earned international recognition in recent years.

Those Among the Released

The individuals freed alongside Zeragaber comprise prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a geometrist.

A half-dozen high-level police officials and an state security officer were released as well.

The Eritrean government has not issued any statement regarding the releases.

Many of them are sick and this may be the reason why they have been freed now.

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

Global Criticism and Prison Conditions

The UN and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of serious abuses, including ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and the detention 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 include 20 metal shipping containers in which prisoners are held without contact, according to reports.

Background on Political Control

For the past thirty years, 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 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 arrested 15 politicians referred to as the G-15, along with 16 journalists, after they called for that the president 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 accused of links to the G-15, are still unconfirmed.

Aged 79, the leader marked 32 years in office and has still never faced an electoral contest.