Thirteen people held for more than 18 years without trial in Eritrea have been released from a notorious military prison, relatives of the detainees have told the BBC. Among those freed were several prominent figures, including 69-year-old Olympian cyclist and businessman Zeragaber Gebrehiwot. They had been held at Mai Serwa prison, known for its harsh conditions, where many of the inmates are believed to be political prisoners. An unnamed source who was once detained in Mai Serwa revealed that the prisoners were arrested in October 2007 following an assassination attempt on Col Simon Gebredingil, a senior internal security officer in President Isaias Afwerki's government.
Around 30 people were initially detained, and while some have been released over the years, about 20 remained in custody until now. Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was still part of Ethiopia. The mountainous country, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong cycling culture and its cyclists have gained international recognition in recent years.
In addition to Zeragaber, other notable figures released include businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu, as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a geometrist. Six senior police officers and an internal security agent were also among those freed. The Eritrean government has not issued any statement regarding the releases, though reports suggest that many of the released individuals are suffering from health issues.
Families of the detainees reported that they were not allowed to visit their loved ones during their detention, raising further concerns about human rights practices in the country. The UN and various human rights organizations have long criticized the Eritrean government for extensive human rights violations, including torture and arbitrary detention.
Mai Serwa prison has expanded and is known to include shipping containers used to hold prisoners in isolation. Many detainees have suffered extreme conditions, underlining the long-standing issues of injustice in Eritrea, a one-party state since its independence with no free press or functioning constitution. The government has maintained a tight grip, particularly on dissenting voices, following a 2001 crackdown that led to the arrest of numerous journalists and political figures calling for reforms.
Around 30 people were initially detained, and while some have been released over the years, about 20 remained in custody until now. Zeragaber competed in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when Eritrea was still part of Ethiopia. The mountainous country, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, has a strong cycling culture and its cyclists have gained international recognition in recent years.
In addition to Zeragaber, other notable figures released include businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu, as well as the Habtemariam brothers - David, an engineer, and Matthews, a geometrist. Six senior police officers and an internal security agent were also among those freed. The Eritrean government has not issued any statement regarding the releases, though reports suggest that many of the released individuals are suffering from health issues.
Families of the detainees reported that they were not allowed to visit their loved ones during their detention, raising further concerns about human rights practices in the country. The UN and various human rights organizations have long criticized the Eritrean government for extensive human rights violations, including torture and arbitrary detention.
Mai Serwa prison has expanded and is known to include shipping containers used to hold prisoners in isolation. Many detainees have suffered extreme conditions, underlining the long-standing issues of injustice in Eritrea, a one-party state since its independence with no free press or functioning constitution. The government has maintained a tight grip, particularly on dissenting voices, following a 2001 crackdown that led to the arrest of numerous journalists and political figures calling for reforms.
