Olympian and Several Eritreans Released After 18 Years Without Facing Charges, Relatives Say

A group of thirteen people detained for over 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been freed from a notorious military detention facility, as stated by relatives of the prisoners.

Among those freed were a number of prominent figures, such as 69-year-old Olympian cyclist and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.

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

Circumstances Surrounding the Arrest

A source who was previously held in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on a senior internal security officer in the government.

Around 30 people were originally arrested, according to the source. A number have been released over the years, but about 20 remained in custody.

The Story 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 gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, possesses a deep-rooted tradition of cycling and its riders have steadily gained international recognition in recent years.

Those Among the Freed

The individuals freed with Zeragaber comprise prominent businessmen 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 internal security agent were released as well.

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

Many of them are in poor health and this could explain why they have been freed at this time.

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

Global Criticism and Detention Environment

United Nations bodies and rights organizations have long accused the Eritrean government of serious abuses, encompassing ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and the detention of tens of 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 incommunicado, according to reports.

Background on Political Control

Over the last three decades, Eritrea has continued to be a one-party state with no active constitutional framework. It is among the world's most militarised societies, with compulsory national service of unlimited duration.

There has been no free press since the closure of private publications and arrest 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 demanded that the head of state implement the proposed constitution and hold open elections.

According to advocacy organizations, the status and location of 11 of the politicians, as well as the journalists allegedly having links to the G-15, remain unknown.

Aged 79, the leader marked 32 years in power and has still never faced an election.