Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA242
2009-07-30 11:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
GSE RELEASES MUSLIM "RADICALS," ARRRESTS
how-toVZCZCXRO0072 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0242 2111122 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 301122Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0396 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
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
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
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