Relatives tell the BBC that Olympian and other Eritreans released after 18 years without trial

Relatives have confirmed to the BBC that thirteen individuals who were imprisoned in Eritrea for over 18 years without facing trial have been freed from the infamous Mai Serwa military detention center. Among those released is 69-year-old Zeragaber Gebrehiwot, an Olympian cyclist and businessman.

Mai Serwa prison is notorious for its harsh conditions and is believed to hold a significant number of political prisoners. A former detainee, speaking anonymously, told the BBC that the arrests took place in October 2007 following an alleged assassination attempt on Col. Simon Gebredingil, a senior officer in President Isaias Afwerkis security apparatus. Initially, around 30 people were detained, with some released over the years, but approximately 20 remained imprisoned.

Zeragaber Gebrehiwot competed at the 1980 Moscow Olympics when Eritrea was still part of Ethiopia. Eritrea, which became independent in 1993, has a strong cycling tradition, and its athletes have increasingly gained international attention in recent years.

Others released include prominent businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu, as well as the Habtemariam brothersDavid, an engineer, and Matthews, a geometrist. Six senior police officers and one internal security agent were also among those freed.

The Eritrean government has not commented on the recent releases. Relatives said they were never allowed to visit the prisoners during their detention. International organizations, including the UN and various human rights groups, have consistently criticized Eritrea for serious human rights violations, including torture, enforced disappearances, and the detention of tens of thousands under inhumane conditions.

Mai Serwa prison, situated roughly 9 km northwest of the capital Asmara, has expanded to include 20 metal shipping containers where prisoners are held in isolation, according to sources. Last year, Berhane Abrehe, a former finance minister, died in detention after spending six years in jail for publishing a book critical of the president. He was never brought to trial.

For more than 30 years, Eritrea has remained a single-party state without a functioning constitution. The country is heavily militarized, with indefinite national service obligations. Independent media have been banned since 2001, and numerous journalists and politicians remain missing or imprisoned. President Isaias Afwerki, aged 79, has been in power for over three decades and has never faced a national election.

Author: Harper Simmons