A group of thirteen people detained for more than 18 years without being formally charged in Eritrea have been released from a infamous military prison, as stated by relatives of the detainees.
Those released were several well-known individuals, including 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.
They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, known for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are considered political prisoners.
Circumstances Surrounding the Detention
An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 after an attempted assassination on a senior state security official in the government.
Approximately thirty individuals were initially detained, per the source. A number have been released over the years, but about 20 remained in custody.
Profile of an Athlete
Zeragaber raced 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 cyclists have increasingly earned 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 engineer, and Matthews, a surveyor.
A half-dozen high-level police officials and an internal security agent were also freed.
The Eritrean government has not issued any statement concerning the releases.
A significant number of the former detainees are in poor health and this may be the reason why they have been released now.
Families were not allowed to visit the prisoners throughout their incarceration, the family members said.
Global Criticism and Detention Environment
The UN and human rights groups have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of gross human rights violations, encompassing torture, enforced disappearances and the detention of many thousands of people in deplorable circumstances.
Mai Serwa prison, 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 incommunicado, sources have indicated.
Context of Political Control
For the past thirty years, Eritrea has continued to be a single-party nation 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 closure of independent newspapers 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 president put into effect the draft constitution and hold open elections.
According to 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 yet to participate in an election.
