Uncharged cartoonist freed after 15 years' detention

A well-known Eritrean satirical cartoonist has been freed from prison after spending 15 years in detention without charge, his family and friends have told BBC News. Biniam Solomon, now in his early 60s, was arrested in the capital, Asmara, in 2011 but was never tried. The reasons for his continued imprisonment were not made clear. Known by his pen name Cobra, Biniam gained fame for his critical and witty cartoons tackling political and social issues. The authorities have not said why he was set free but it is the latest in a string of similar releases. Nevertheless, thousands remain in prison, incommunicado and without trial, in a country long criticised for alleged human rights abuses. During his 15 years in detention, Biniam had no contact with his family, and received only occasional medical treatment. According to a relative, he spent the latter part of his detention in Asmara's ‘crime investigation’ prison. It is widely reported to hold political and conscientious objectors under harsh conditions. Biniam’s cartoons were published in several Eritrean newspapers in the four years from 1997. This was a brief period after independence from Ethiopia when the private media flourished before being being shut down in September 2001. The UN has previously called for the release of what it said were 10 000 people held without trial in Eritrea.

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