GSE RELEASES MUSLIM "RADICALS," ARRRESTS

UNCLAS ASMARA 000242 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL/IRF LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV ER SUBJECT: GSE RELEASES MUSLIM "RADICALS," ARRRESTS INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS REF: ASMARA 040 ¶1. (SBU) On July 21, the Eritrean government (GSE) released the remaining Muslims imprisoned since January 2009 (reftel). Simultaneously, the GSE rounded up 30 young, possibly influential Muslims from around Asmara. The GSE reportedly entered homes and workplaces to find the targeted victims. The 30 consisted primarily of workers in various ministries as well as teachers and directors from Muslim schools in Asmara, according to a close embassy source. The new prisoners are reportedly being held in Asmara. ¶2. (SBU) Unlike the January round up, in which the authorities used the pretense of eliminating radical Islamist threats, the July 21 arrests targeted Muslims the GSE feared to be gaining in influence. According to the source, however, those arrested may not have been all that influential in Muslim circles. Some were reported to be infrequent mosque attendees. MCMULLEN