Several individuals detained in Eritrea, including Zeragaber and a number of well-known figures, were unexpectedly freed on Thursday. Among those released were businessmen Tesfalem Mengsteab and Bekure Mebrahtu, as well as brothers David and Matthews Habtemariam—an engineer and a geometrist respectively.
Six high-ranking police officers and an official from the internal security service were also reportedly set free.
The Eritrean authorities have not issued any public statement on the releases, leaving many questions unanswered. Relatives say most of those freed were in poor health, which may have influenced the decision.
Throughout their years in custody, families were never granted permission to visit the detainees.
For decades, the Eritrean government has faced widespread criticism from the UN and international human rights organisations for severe abuses, including torture, enforced disappearances, and detaining tens of thousands of people under harsh and often secretive conditions.
Mai Serwa prison—located roughly nine kilometres northwest of Asmara—has expanded significantly over time, with sources telling the BBC that the facility now includes around 20 metal shipping containers used to hold inmates in total isolation.
Last year, former long-serving finance minister Berhane Abrehe died behind bars after spending six years imprisoned without trial. His arrest followed the publication of a book in which he called President Isaias a “dictator” who should step down. Human Rights Concern – Eritrea reported that he died in Asmara’s Carshelli prison.
Eritrea has operated as a one-party state for more than 30 years, without a functioning constitution and with compulsory national service that can last indefinitely. Independent media outlets were shut down in 2001, and dozens of editors and journalists were arrested at the time.
In that same year, 15 senior politicians known as the G-15—alongside 16 journalists—were detained after urging President Isaias to implement the draft constitution and introduce democratic elections. Amnesty International says the fate of 11 of those politicians, as well as the journalists linked to the G-15, remains unknown.
President Isaias, now 79, has been in power for 32 years and has never contested an election.