Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASMARA694
2006-08-28 12:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
ONE REPORTED KILLED DURING WEEKEND ROUNDUPS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAE #0694 2401254 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281254Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8396 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 5948 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 2834 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0133 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1195 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 4626 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1369 RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000694
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHER, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR ER
SUBJECT: ONE REPORTED KILLED DURING WEEKEND ROUNDUPS
Classified By: CDA Jennifer McIntyre for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000694
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHER, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR ER
SUBJECT: ONE REPORTED KILLED DURING WEEKEND ROUNDUPS
Classified By: CDA Jennifer McIntyre for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Throughout the weekend, the Eritrean army conducted
sweeping round-ups in Asmara. Witnesses to the round-ups
reported as many as 200 soldiers in the central market during
prime shopping hours on August 26. Soldiers reportedly went
in and out of stores and around the open air market
aggressively demanding to see identity and demobilization
cards from all national service age individuals. One woman
told an Embassy employee that while she was working in the
market she witnessed a 46-year-old man being beaten to death
by the soldiers. The man was a day laborer from Adi Musa, a
small village close to Asmara, who had been demobilized and
carried his card with him. According to her, the man kept
trying to communicate with the soldiers that he had his
demobilization card, however they ignored his pleas and beat
him over and over again in the head with their lathis and
batons. After beating him senseless, the soldiers reportedly
took him to Halibet Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
2. (C) The round-ups continued on Sunday, with smaller groups
of 10-12 soldiers seen moving throughout town. Trucks filled
with individuals picked up during the round-up were seen
leaving Asmara departing to an as yet unknown location.
While the total number of individuals picked up in Asmara is
unknown, rough estimates may exceed 200 people, based on the
number of trucks seen leaving the city.
3. (C). Comment: While individuals are regularly picked up,
this sweep was the largest of the past few months. The
aggressive posturing of the soldiers and the beating to death
of an individual in front of witnesses indicates not only the
lack of concern about public backlash, but possibly
represents a new tactic in scaring its citizens into
compliance. End Comment.
MCINTYRE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHER, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR ER
SUBJECT: ONE REPORTED KILLED DURING WEEKEND ROUNDUPS
Classified By: CDA Jennifer McIntyre for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Throughout the weekend, the Eritrean army conducted
sweeping round-ups in Asmara. Witnesses to the round-ups
reported as many as 200 soldiers in the central market during
prime shopping hours on August 26. Soldiers reportedly went
in and out of stores and around the open air market
aggressively demanding to see identity and demobilization
cards from all national service age individuals. One woman
told an Embassy employee that while she was working in the
market she witnessed a 46-year-old man being beaten to death
by the soldiers. The man was a day laborer from Adi Musa, a
small village close to Asmara, who had been demobilized and
carried his card with him. According to her, the man kept
trying to communicate with the soldiers that he had his
demobilization card, however they ignored his pleas and beat
him over and over again in the head with their lathis and
batons. After beating him senseless, the soldiers reportedly
took him to Halibet Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
2. (C) The round-ups continued on Sunday, with smaller groups
of 10-12 soldiers seen moving throughout town. Trucks filled
with individuals picked up during the round-up were seen
leaving Asmara departing to an as yet unknown location.
While the total number of individuals picked up in Asmara is
unknown, rough estimates may exceed 200 people, based on the
number of trucks seen leaving the city.
3. (C). Comment: While individuals are regularly picked up,
this sweep was the largest of the past few months. The
aggressive posturing of the soldiers and the beating to death
of an individual in front of witnesses indicates not only the
lack of concern about public backlash, but possibly
represents a new tactic in scaring its citizens into
compliance. End Comment.
MCINTYRE