Eritrean Detainees Released After 18 Years
Thirteen individuals, including former Olympian cyclist and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot, have been released from Mai Serwa military prison in Eritrea, according to statements from relatives of the detainees to the BBC. The individuals had been held for over 18 years without formal charges or trial.
Details of the Releases
Among those released on Thursday were prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu, engineers David and Matthews Habtemariam, six senior police officers, and an internal security agent. Zeragaber Gebrehiwot, 69, competed in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The Eritrean government has not issued any public statement regarding the releases. Relatives indicated that the detainees' families were not permitted visits throughout their detention. Some reports suggest that the deteriorating health of some prisoners may have contributed to their release.
Circumstances of Detention
An unnamed source, previously detained at Mai Serwa, informed the BBC that the prisoners were initially arrested in October 2007. This followed an assassination attempt on Colonel Simon Gebredingil, a senior internal security officer within President Isaias Afwerki's administration. Approximately 30 people were initially detained, with some individuals released over the years, while about 20 remained in custody until this recent release.
Mai Serwa prison, located approximately 9 kilometers (six miles) north-west of the capital, Asmara, is known for its conditions and is reported to house numerous political prisoners. Sources have indicated that the facility has expanded to include 20 metal shipping containers used for holding prisoners incommunicado.
Broader Context of Human Rights in Eritrea
International bodies and human rights organizations have consistently documented concerns regarding human rights in Eritrea. The UN and various human rights groups have accused the Eritrean government of violations, including torture, forced disappearances, and the imprisonment of thousands under inhumane conditions.
In the past year, Berhane Abrehe, a former Finance Minister who served under President Isaias for 11 years until 2012, died in prison. He had been detained for six years after publishing a book critical of the president and was never brought to trial. Human Rights Concern - Eritrea, a UK-based organization, reported his death occurred in Asmara's Carshelli prison.
Eritrea has operated as a one-party state for the past three decades, lacking a functioning constitution. It is characterized by extensive military conscription. Independent media ceased operating in 2001, coinciding with the arrest of numerous editors and journalists. This period also saw the detention of 15 politicians, known as the G-15, who had advocated for the implementation of a draft constitution and the holding of open elections. According to Amnesty International, the status and location of 11 of these politicians, along with journalists accused of connections to the G-15, remain unconfirmed. President Isaias Afwerki, aged 79, has held power for 32 years without facing an election.