Olympian and Several Eritreans Released After Nearly Two Decades Without Trial, Relatives Report

Thirteen individuals detained for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been freed from a infamous military detention facility, according to family members of the detainees.

Those released were several prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympic athlete and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot.

They had been incarcerated at Mai Serwa prison, renowned for its harsh conditions and where many inmates are believed to be detained for political reasons.

Circumstances Surrounding the Detention

An unnamed source who was previously held in Mai Serwa indicated the prisoners were taken into custody in October 2007 after an attempted assassination on a high-ranking state security official in the government.

Around 30 people were initially detained, according to the source. Some have been released in the intervening period, but roughly two dozen stayed imprisoned.

The Story of an Olympian

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

The mountainous country, which achieved sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong tradition of cycling and its cyclists have steadily gained international recognition over the past decade.

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 at this time.

Relatives were prohibited to visit the prisoners during their incarceration, the relatives reported.

International Condemnation and Prison Conditions

The UN and human rights groups have consistently criticized the Eritrean government of serious abuses, including torture, forced disappearance and the detention of tens of thousands of people in inhumane conditions.

Mai Serwa facility, 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 without contact, according to reports.

Context of Political Control

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

There has been no free press since the shutdown of independent newspapers and arrest of most of their editors and journalists in 2001.

This was when the government arrested 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 conduct democratic polls.

Per rights groups, 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 recently passed 32 years in power and has yet to participate in an election.