Asmara, December 06, 2025
Thirteen Eritrean detainees, including 69-year-old Olympian cyclist Zeragaber Gebrehiwot, have been released after more than 18 years of detention without trial at the Mai Serwa military prison near Asmara. Their prolonged imprisonment followed their arrest in 2007 in connection with an assassination attempt on a senior security officer.
Details of the Released Detainees
The group freed includes prominent businessmen, security personnel, and notable figures such as Zeragaber Gebrehiwot, who represented Eritrea’s predecessor state at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. These individuals were detained in October 2007, accused of involvement in a failed assassination attempt against Col. Simon Gebredingil, a high-ranking security official.
Conditions of Detention and Human Rights Concerns
Mai Serwa military prison is notorious for its harsh and secretive environment. Detainees were held in isolation, often denied family visits for over two decades. Reports indicate that some prisoners, including those recently released, have suffered significant health deterioration. The long-term absence of trials or formal legal proceedings characterizes their detention, drawing condemnation from international human rights organizations.
Political Context and Regime Control in Eritrea
The release does not signal political reform or enhanced transparency within Eritrea but rather underscores the regime’s unilateral authority over detainees. Under President Isaias Afwerki’s administration, the country has operated an authoritarian system marked by the forced disappearance and indefinite detention of political prisoners without due process. Mai Serwa prison remains emblematic of this broader system of repression.
Government Response
As of this report, the Eritrean government has issued no official statements regarding the release of the thirteen detainees. Observers note the timing and conditions surrounding the release may relate more to concern over the prisoners’ health than any legal or political reconsideration.
This development highlights ongoing challenges in Eritrea’s human rights landscape while drawing international attention to the plight of those held without trial—an issue with significant implications for governance, justice, and regional stability.