A prominent Eritrean opposition figure and former finance minister, Berhane Abrehe, has died in prison after nearly six years of detention, according to a human rights group.
The Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE) confirmed Abrehe’s passing, expressing deep concern about the treatment of political prisoners in the East African nation.
The 79-year-old veteran of Eritrea’s independence war was arrested in 2018 following the publication of a book critical of President Isaias Afwerki and his government.
Abrehe’s detention sparked international condemnation as the rights group accused the Eritrean government of suppressing freedom of expression and human rights.
His arrest and incommunicado imprisonment were seen as a clear violation of his fundamental rights.
The HRCE called on the international community to demand an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Abrehe’s death and to continue pressing the Eritrean government to uphold human rights and the rule of law.
The Eritrean government has yet to issue a statement regarding the former finance minister’s passing.