A prominent Eritrean satirical cartoonist has been released after spending 15 years in prison without being formally charged or tried, according to family members and friends.
The artist, Biniam Solomon, was arrested in Asmara in 2011. Authorities never publicly explained the reasons for his detention.
Known by his pen name “Cobra,” Solomon became widely recognised for his cartoons that used humour and satire to comment on political and social issues in Eritrea.
Years of detention without contact
During his time in prison, Solomon reportedly had no contact with his family and received only limited medical treatment.
Relatives say he spent the latter years of his detention in the crime investigation prison in Asmara, a facility widely reported to hold political detainees and conscientious objectors.
Despite losing one arm during childhood, Solomon built a successful career as an artist and also worked as a physics teacher at a secondary school to support himself.
Career and publications
His cartoons appeared in several Eritrean newspapers between 1997 and 2001, a period when independent media briefly flourished after Eritrea’s independence.
However, the government later shut down private media outlets in 2001, citing national security concerns, and several journalists were arrested.
Solomon also published books featuring his work, including “Subtle is the Ruler,” “Conversation with Cobra Number One,” and “Conversation with Cobra Number Two.”
Ongoing human rights concerns
Human rights organizations and the United Nations have repeatedly criticised Eritrea for detaining thousands of people without trial.
The UN has previously estimated that around 10,000 people may still be held in detention without legal proceedings in the country.
Although Solomon’s release has been welcomed by supporters, many activists say thousands of other detainees remain imprisoned without transparency or due process.
